GUSTO MO BANG MANOOD NG FIFA?

Trip to South Africa and Sony Ericsson phones up for grabs in FIFA World Cup ™ video contest

It’s game on for FIFA World Cup™ fans as Sony Ericsson launches a video competition that promises exciting prizes including the new gesture gaming phone Kita and a trip for two to South Africa . Sony Ericsson is searching for a Filipino child to be a FIFA flag bearer in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa .

The winning child, together with his parent or guardian, can use his Sony Ericsson Kita to catch the excitement of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“The Sony Ericsson Kita will be an exciting and handy travel companion for our young FIFA flag bearer headed for Cape Town , South Africa . The handset will help him or her keep in touch, and keep us posted on this historic journey ahead. This will be the first time for the Philippines to participate in a FIFA World Cup event,” said Dennis Manzano, Sony Ericsson General Manager.

Sony Ericsson will award Kita handsets to the top five finalists of the Search for the FIFA World Cup™ Flag Bearer. The contest is open to Filipino children aged 10-16 years old. Simply create a 30-60 second video and creatively answer, “Why I deserve to win the Sony Ericsson Search for the FIFA World Cup™ flag bearer.” Upload the video to http://www.clickthecity.com/sonyericssonfifa/. Children can have fun and present their reasons in play, song, dance and other creative ways to convince judges.

Five finalists will be chosen and beginning March 8, 2010, voting for the number one favorite flag bearer begins. Sony Ericsson will let the public decide who deserves the honor of being sent as the Philippines ’ first FIFA flag bearer to this premier international sporting event.

The Sony Ericsson Kita is the first motion and gesture gaming handset outside the Japanese market, and features everything for the young traveler to enjoy. It comes loaded with gesture games, so one can just move their body to play and win. Other great games, including motion and standard games, are ready to be accessed from a games carousel on the phone’s desktop. A/B buttons act as gaming shortcut keys.

Kita also comes with a 5-megapixel camera with auto focus, 4x digital zoom, face detection and geo-tagging. Take pictures and record videos of unforgettable FIFA World Cup™ moments. The camera has a send-to-web function for one to easily share images and video clips to family and friends. Music call lets a user share their music with one button press while talking.

Exclusively for the Asia Pacific market, the Kita also comes with exclusive content from the Sony Ericsson Entertainment Asia portal. Each phone can be loaded with entertainment features of the user’s choice such as blockbuster films from Sony Pictures, songs and music videos from Sony Music and game titles from the Gameloft content library.

Sony Ericsson is the Official Mobile Phone Handset of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Visit http://www.clickthecity.com/sonyericssonfifa/ to learn more about the Sony Ericsson Search for the FIFA World Cup™ Flag Bearer. Registered voters on the site will get a chance to win the exclusive Sony Ericsson Team Pilipinas shirts.

ISYU PA DIN

MINI REUNION PARA SA U.P. JUBILARIANS

Magkakaroon ng mini reunion ang mga UP Jubilarians batches 1950, 1960, 1970 and at 1985 sa February 3.

Heto ang mga detalye:

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) is inviting all alumni jubilarians celebrating in 2010 to a mini-reunion and planning meeting on February 3, Wednesday, at Ang Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman campus, from 2 pm to 5 pm. The celebrating batches are Class 1950 (Diamond), Class 1960 (Golden), Class 1970 (Ruby) and Class 1985 (Silver).

The UP general alumni homecoming will be held on June 25-26 also at Ang Bahay ng Alumni. The meeting this Feb. 3 will discuss among other things the program for the alumni homecoming and other activities to mark their jubilarian celebration. A photo session has also been scheduled to facilitate the collection of individual photos to be used in the alumni yearbook due for release during the homecoming. Jubilarians are hence requested to arrive in appropriate attire. We suggest barong or shirt with blazer for men and semi-formal wear for women.

For more details, please contact Shirley at the UPAA Secretariat at landline numbers 9206871, 9206868, 9206875, e-mail upalum@yahoo.com.ph, or cellphone number 09178372098.

PREDIKSIYON SA 2010 NG MGA RUSSO

Dahil bagong taon madaming nagbibigay ng mga predictions. Isa sa mga nagbigay ay ang Kaspersky. Ang Russong kumpanya na gumagawa ng isa sa mga sikat na Anti-Virus sa mundo. Ayon sa kanila ay ito ang mga mangyayari pagdating sa laban sa mga Cyberthreat pagdating ngayong 2010.

Noong nakaraang taon ang hula ng Kaspersky ay magkakaroon ng pagtaas sa pangmundong epidemiya pagdating sa malisyosong software at nagkatotoo ito sa paglabas ng mga sopistikadong program na may rootkit functionality, mga web attack, botnets, SMS fraud, mga atake sa social networks, at ang Conficker na virus.

Sa pagdating ng 2010, ang mga tagapagsaliksik at tagapagsuri ng Laboratoryo ng Kaspersky ay naglabas ng anim na prediksiyon kung ano ang siyang magiging pinakamalalaking banta at ang pinakabagong magiging paraan ng atake.

Heto sila:

1. A rise in attacks originating from file sharing networks. This year, we will see a shift in the types of attacks on users, from attacks via websites and applications toward attacks originating from file sharing networks.

2. An increase in mass malware epidemics via P2P networks. In 2009 a series of mass malware epidemics has been “supported” by malicious files that are spread via file sharing networks. This method has been used to spread notorious threats such as TDSS and Virut as well as the first backdoor for Mac OS X. In 2010, we expect to see a significant increase in these types of incidents on P2P networks.

3. Continuous competition for traffic from cybercriminals. The modern cybercriminal world is making more and more of an effort to legalize itself and there are lots of ways to earn money online using the huge amount of traffic that can be generated by botnets. In the future, we foresee the emergence of more "grey" schemes in the botnet services market. These so-called "partner programs" enable botnet owners to make a profit from activities such as sending spam, performing denial of service (DoS) attacks or distributing malware without committing an explicit crime.

4. A decline in fake anti-virus programs. The decline in gaming Trojans witnessed in 2009 is likely to be repeated for fake anti-virus programs in 2010. Conficker installed a rogue anti-virus program on infected computers. The fake anti-virus market has now been saturated and the profits for cybercriminals have fallen. Additionally, this kind of activity is now being closely monitored by both IT security companies and law enforcement agencies, making it increasingly difficult to distribute fake anti-virus programs.

5. An interest in attacking Google Wave. When it comes to attacks on web services, Google Wave looks like it will be making all the headlines in 2010. Attacks on this new Google service will no doubt follow the usual pattern: first, the sending of spam, followed by phishing attacks, then the exploiting of vulnerabilities and the spreading of malware.

6. An increase in attacks on iPhone and Android mobile platforms. 2010 promises to be a difficult time for iPhone and Android users. The first malicious programs for these mobile platforms appeared in 2009, a sure sign that they have aroused the interest of cybercriminals. The only iPhone users currently at risk are those with compromised devices; however the same is not true for Android users who are all vulnerable to attack. The increasing popularity of mobile phones running the Android OS combined with a lack of effective checks to ensure third-party software applications are secure, will lead to a number of high-profile malware outbreaks.

Dagdag ni Roel Schouwenberg, Senior Malware Researcher sa Kaspersky Lab “Malware will continue to further its sophistication in 2010 with specific malware families requiring significant resources from anti-malware companies to adequately fight them." Sabi din niya na “Third party program vulnerabilities will continue to be the target of choice by cybercriminals with Adobe continuing to be the main target. And finally I believe that with the introduction of real-time search, black hat SEO and social networks will become an even bigger focus of cybercriminals.”

TEASER MULA SA LENOVO

Nagpadala ng isang teaser ang Lenovo bago matapos ang taon. Subaybayan na lang nating lahat kung ano ito next year. Isang Manigong Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat.

SHOPPING TIPS MULA SA MEGALINK

Napagusapan na din lang, heto ang ilang shopping tips mula sa Megalink:

1. Plan big expenses ahead. Take a tip from Santa and check your list twice. The to-do list, guest list, gift list and menu will all have a corresponding budget that you should prepare for.

2. Check due dates for bills payment and settle them before the holiday starts. Be a step ahead and pay for bills early. Bills payment for utilities, credit cards, insurance premiums and even tuition fees are accepted at MegaLink ATMs.

3. Use MegaLink POS services for cashless shopping. Your MegaLink ATM card can be used for payments in supermarkets, groceries, department stores and other merchant establishments with MegaLink POS terminals. Purchases will automatically be debited from your account. Just look for the MegaLink Logo to identify participating merchant establishments.

4. Know the contact details of your bank. MegaLink member banks have ATM monitoring teams or ATM hotlines that are ready to extend customer support. Get your bank’s holiday schedule and contact details. You should also have your card and account number on hand when making inquiries. It is highly recommended that you only ask for assistance from bank personnel on ATM related inquiries.

5. Secure your PIN. It’s been said before but never done enough. Memorize your personal identification number for ATM transactions and keep it safe. Many unauthorized transactions are preventable by securing your PIN.

6. Use fund transfer. MegaLink ATMs can enable cardholders to transfer money in real time to accounts in other accredited MegaLink banks. In a MegaLink ATM, choose ‘Other Services’ then ‘Funds Transfer’ and follow the directions on the ATM screen.

Spend a worry-free Christmas season by keeping these holiday tips in mind. MegaLink members have undertaken activities to ensure that cardholders can transact conveniently at the ATMs. These include ensuring that sufficient cash is loaded at the ATM; having on-call bank personnel to load cash to ATMs; and monitoring and servicing of ATMs during the holidays.

MEGALINK: MAG iSWITCH NA

Ayon sa isang press release, ang Megalink ay gagamit na ng mas makabagong application para mas gumanda pa lalo ang kanilang serbisyo sa mga gumagamit ng kanilang ATM network.

Ito ay ang iSwitch mula sa kumpanyang Interblocks. Ayon kay Benjamin P. Castillo, President at CEO ng MegaLink, sila ay lilipat sa iSwitch dahil hahayaan ng bagong sistema na ito na sila ay maging maagap sa pagbibigay ng mas madami pang delivery channels, bagong mga koneksiyon at mga makabagong produkto, at mas maayos na operasyon na hindi kakayanin ng kanilang dating sistema. Ito ay magaganap na sa 2010.

Nakakatuwang isipin na ang 2010 din ang magiging ika 20 taong anibersaryo ng MegaLink. Naalala ko noon kung gaanong kahirap na makahanap ng paraan na makakuha ng pera pag nagsara na ang banko. Pero sa pagkakaroon ng ATM machines na siya ring kumalat at ngayon ay halos wala ng lugar kung saan hindi ka makakakita ng ATM machine ay napakadali nang magbanking kahit na saan at kahit na anumang oras.

Magandang balita ito para sa ating mga gumagamit ng MegaLink. Happy Anniversary sa MegaLink sa kanilang ika-20 na taon.

Heto ang mga detalye ng upgrade halaw mula sa press release:

MegaLink taps Interblocks for new core switch application

MegaLink, the pioneer in shared ATM services, is moving to an improved switch solution called iSwitch from Interblocks, a leading provider of integrated, electronic payment processing solutions for banks and financial institutions.

MegaLink will avail of the wide variety of features on Interblocks’ iSwitch application to provide both basic transaction processes and value-added services. The project is targeted for completion early next year, as MegaLink will mark 20 years in 2010 with an array of new services.

“MegaLink decided to migrate to iSwitch as the system will provide us with the agility to provide additional delivery channels, new connections and innovative products as well as operational enhancements not readily available in our old system,” said Benjamin P. Castillo, MegaLink President and CEO.

Aside from regular shared ATM services, MegaLink will provide ATM switch outsourcing services, where banks and non-banks can perform ATM switch services without acquiring their own system and equipment. This will allow more banks, and even non-banks to operate at significantly lower costs through a MegaLink-provided switch.

MegaLink will also introduce airtime loading services through ATMs in a recently announced partnership with SMART Communications and Globe Telecoms. Mobile phone users of either network operator will be able to do airtime loads via MegaLink ATMs.

“By the end of the first quarter of 2010, MegaLink through its new switch will migrate to the enhanced Mobile Banking System of SMART. With the enhanced Mobile Banking Engine, we can also connect existing MegaLink members who have yet to avail of the facility.

Subsequently, MegaLink will also provide our members with facilities to issue pre-paid cards through iSwitch, offer cross-border ATM transactions, and much, much more,” added Castillo.

iSwitch is among Interblocks’ leading solution offerings for driving financial transactions across the widest variety of customer touch points.. The company has a broad range of solutions in service delivery, payments, cards, virtual banking and mobile commerce. It has some 250 projects completed across 11 countries.

When iSwitch is implemented, MegaLink also expects to handle larger volumes of transactions at a higher efficiency. MegaLink currently has a network of 19 members covering nearly 9.8 million cardholders and more than 2,500 ATM terminals.

ONLINE PETITION PO

Paki basa na lang po, at kung kayo ay naniniwala sa aking adhikain, paki lagdaan na lang po. Salamat sa inyo.

Strike against Impunity, Strike for Peace and Democracy Petition

MALAYBALAY TUMAGGAP NG AWARD

Ang gobyernong panglokal ng Malaybalay sa Bukidnon ay naging isa sa labing apat na napili na magawaran ng parangal na Galing Pook 2009 mula sa Galing Pook Foundation.

Ang Galing Pook Foundation ay parte ng isang global network ng mga awards para sa lokal na namamahala kasama ang US, Mexico, China, East Africa, South Africa at South America. Kadalasan ay sampu lang ang napipiling programa na siyang nagagawaran pero ayon sa National Selection Committee chair Prof. Solita Monsod, and 2009 ay naging isang kapitapitagang taon para sa mabuting pamamahala.

Dahil sa Malaybalay Integrated Survey System o M.I.S.S. ay napili ang pamahalaang panglungsod ng Malaybalay. Ito lang ang nagiisa sa lahat ng nagawaran na may kinalaman sa information technology o I.T. Ginamit nito ang I.T. bilang isang epektibong kagamitan sa community development at action planning.

Ang Planning and Development Office ng Malaybalay ang siyang may gawa ng M.I.S.S. para maisaayos ang mga hindi pagkakatugma sa pangangalap ng datos at sa mga panglungsod na survey. Ito ay ginaya mula sa Community Based Monitoring System ng Department of Local Government. Ang survey ay may 231 na katanungan na sakop ang lahat ng pangangailangan sa impormasyon ng iba't ibang departamento.

Ang data processing program na ito ay dinevelop ng in-house programmers ng panglungsod na pamahalaan. Halos 420 Barangay Health Workers (BHW) at mga komadrona ang inatasan na matutunan ang data processing program at gumamit ng mga computer na ikinalat sa 46 na barangay. Halos 98% ng mga BHW ang hindi marunong gumamit ng computer nung nagsimula ang programa pero madali naman silang natuto.

Inako ng lokal na gobyerno ang kanilang pagsasanay, tirahan at mga pangangailangan habang ang barangay ang siyang kumalinga sa kanilang transportasyon.

Kasama sa survey ang lahat ng residente ng siyudad, para makakuha ng basic demographics at profiles ng mga kabahayan. Ang data na nakuha sa survey ay nakatulong para makagawa ng development plans para sa 46 na barangay. Nagbigay ang survey ng mas maayos na lagay ng mga taga lungsod at ng kanilang mga pangangailangan na siyang naging batayan ng development at action planning.

Ang M.I.S.S. program ay gender-responsive. Ibig sabihin ay ang planning at budgeting process ay naging mas gender fair o mas sensitibo sa pangangailangn ng mga kababaihan, sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng mga programa at kaganapan na magpapaganda ng estado ng mga kababaihan sa mga pook.

Lima sa mga nagawaran ay mula sa Mindanao, dalawa mula sa Visayas at pito mula sa Luzon. Ang mga nanalong programa ay iba't iba, mula environmental management, health services, peace and conflict resolution at social services. Mula barangay, municipalidad, lungsod at probinsiya, ang bawat isa ay masugid na pinagaralan para sa innovation, positive results, transferability at sustainability, people’s participation, at efficiency.

“We have often heard of aspirations for more excellence in local governments.  We wished not just for islands but for an entire archipelago of good governance.  This year’s awardees are a proud addition to our growing contingent of outstanding LGUs,” sabi ni Rafael Coscolluela, Galing Pook Foundation chairperson.

Ang ibang Galing Pook 2009 awardees ay ang Barangay Luz, Cebu City; Sarangani Province; Marikina City; Taguig City; Midsayap, Cotabato; Quezon City; Bayawan City; Surallah, South Cotabato; Makati City; Barangay Barobo, Valencia City; Tabuk, Kalinga; Bulacan Province; and Paranaque City.

Ang Galing Pook awarding ceremony para sa mga kapitapitagan na LGUs na ito ay gaganapin sa Malacañan Palace sa December 3, 2009.

FACEBOOK DUROG SA CHINA

Ayon sa isang report mula kay Loretta Chao ng WSJ, ang minamahal na Social Networking Site ng working class ng Pilipinas, ang Facebook, ay nauutas ang mga manggagamit mula sa China dahil sa mga batas at patakaran ng gobyerno nito laban ukol sa paggamit sa internet.

Eto ang report mula sa Media Connect Asia:

Facebook fights for survival in China By Eduardo Sioson Oct 27, 2009

Loretta Chao for WSJ reported on the looming demise of Facebook in China, country with the most number of Internet users.

According to the report, data taken from Inside Facebook, the social networking site’s latest statistics reveals that from one million users in July, the remaining active users of the social networking site beginning October dropped to only 14,000. This is due to the fact that the Chinese government is strict on giving licenses to foreign Internet companies. Aside from that, Chinese censors are keen on filtering out unhealthy contents, which can be considered illegal in the country such as pornography and politically sensitive contents.

Not too long ago, there have been reports that Internet users can no longer access Facebook like what had happened to Google’s YouTube.

However, many Facebook users are still looking for ways of connecting to Facebook. Some have expressed disapproval to the government’s action, hoping that the web site would be unblocked but to no avail yet, the article said.