VIBER releases new designs for iPhone and comes to Blackberry 10 for the first time

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Popular Messaging And Voice App Viber Unveils Version 4.2 For iPhone With A Redesigned Look, A Bevy Of Feature Updates, And Long Awaited BlackBerry 10 App

VIBER, the leading mobile communications platform offering free messaging and HD-quality phone calls, announced today the release of its redesigned iPhone app that is designed for iOS 7, bringing multiple enhancements to iPhone users.

The company has simultaneously released a new mobile app for BlackBerry 10, bringing Viber to BlackBerry’s latest OS with many of the most popular Viber features for the first time.

“Viber has been redesigned from the start for simplicity and ease of use. For our iPhone release we took our cue from the clean, flat look of iOS 7, we wanted Viber to feel like a completely seamless part of the device,” said Talmon Marco, CEO of Viber. “Our BlackBerry 10 app is a beautiful twist on our design delivering the most up to date experience for our users.”

Both the iPhone and BlackBerry apps have been enhanced with powerful new features that expand the functionality of the platform. Importantly, Viber 4.2 for iPhone allows users to send multiple photos and videos at the same time and create a block list of unwanted numbers or contacts.

Additional iPhone updates include: 

Send longer video messages 

Show status when a user “is typing on" Android Tablet, Linux, Mac, PC or Windows 8 

Bug fixes 

Top amongst the BlackBerry 10 features are Viber Out and the Viber Sticker Market, which provide users with ways to use the platform, communicate with their friends, and have fun in the process.

In addition, the version features a host of classic features that BlackBerry 10 users have been waiting for:

Text with your friends in one-on-one and group conversations 

Make free calls with HD sound quality 

Share photos, videos, voice messages, locations, stickers and emoticons 

Push notifications guarantee that you never miss a message or call, even when Viber is off 

Support for the Viber Desktop application on Windows and Mac 

Translated into 34 languages 

About Viber:

Viber is a pioneering mobile messaging, voice and video service. Viber lets everyone in the world connect. Freely. Users can send free text messages, fun stickers, photos, videos and doodles, share locations anywhere in the world, make free HD-quality calls and communicate with Push-To-Talk. With Viber Out, users can make low-cost calls to any phone number around the world. Viber is available for iPhone®, Android™ phones and tablets, Windows Phone, BlackBerry®, Blackberry® 10, Windows®, Windows 8®, Mac, Linux, Symbian, Nokia S40 and Bada devices over 3G/4G or WiFi connections. With over 300 million users in 193 countries, Viber is constantly innovating by introducing new platforms and adding fun new features. Viber is a Rakuten Group company.

More information and updates, visit :

https://www.facebook.com/viber

https://twitter.com/viber

The Search is on for the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award

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Finding individuals who have lived their lives in service of others.

The search is on for the 2014 Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Awardee was launched recently and this afternoon, we were glad meeting up with the organizers headed by the JCI Manila 2014 BTCA Chairman Marc Reyes; Lloyd Chao, Vice President and Mark Homer Uy, Director for Special Projects. The was held at the Akira Art of Sushi & Teppanyaki Restaurad, Alphalang, Makati City.

The Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (BTCA) is a recognition dedicated to the late Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, 1979 Nobel Prize Winner, and was known worldwide as “The Living Saint” because of her selfless humanitarian work and ideals. The search, which was launched in 1983, is the annual project of Junior Chamber International – Manila (JCI-Manila) and the Alfonso Yuchengco Foundation (AY Foundation).

Organizers also aim to inspire others by recognizing the work selflessly done by everyday individuals. JCI-Manila BTCA Chairman for 2014 Marc Reyes says, “In today’s age where everyone’s focused on putting the spotlight on themselves, it’s refreshing to know individuals who work extra hard to improve the lives of others. We hope this could start an effect of inspiring others to do the same.” 

In the land of selfies, it is refreshing to encounter people who are selfless: dedicating their time, money, and effort to make a difference in the lives of others.

The Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (BTCA) aims to recognize these selfless leaders who have taken up social causes that benefit the marginalized members of society. 

The award-giving body aims to refocus public attention and bring recognition to those, who like Blessed Teresa, have dedicated a portion of their lives to serving the “poorest of the poor” and have served as an inspiration to those around them. The winner will receive a cash grant of One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00), at least half of which will be donated to the winner’s charitable institution of choice.

Nominees are open to any living individual, regardless of age, gender, race, and religion, who has dedicated himself fully and selflessly to humanitarian work among underprivileged Filipinos for at least 25 years, being an advocate here in the Philippines. 

In addition, nominees will be likened to the degree in which they follow the example of Blessed Teresa, both in integrity and in the simplicity of their lifestyle.

The Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award encourages anyone who may know an exemplary individual to nominate them by filling up their nomination form found on their Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/BTCAward). 

Only completed nomination forms shall be accepted. The full list of rules and regulations can be found at the back of the nomination form. 

Deadline of nominations is on July 15, 2014.

Don't forget to nominate someone selfless today, especially those who have worked very hard to help those around them.

RM awardee, Internet Hall of Famer to talk with youth

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In a mountainous village in Nepal, a teenager is huddled in front of a computer screen, busy surfing the Internet. Instead of playing DotA (Defense of the Ancients) or checking Facebook, this young person is sifting through an online library. In a rural town clinic, health workers are receiving live online trainings from Model Hospital in Kathmandu. In a remote farm, a man is transacting for a buffalo with another farmer miles away via the Internet.

These scenes are repeated every day in over 170 towns all over Nepal, thanks to the efforts of one man: Mahabir Pun, educator, Internet pioneer, and 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Community Leadership.

Mahabir Pun received the 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, the board of trustees recognizes his innovative application of wireless computer technology in Nepal, bringing progress to remote mountain areas by connecting his village to the global village.

Earlier this month, Pun was also inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame. This recognizes his work in connecting rural Himalayan villages to free wireless Internet and the many benefits it is bringing to millions Nepalese rural villagers in many aspects, including health, education, and trade.

“ICT as a Tool for Education”

Fresh from this new international accolade, Pun will arrive in Manila on April 28. His first engagement upon arrival will be with the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF)--the organization that bestows Asia’s premier prize . He will be the guest speaker at a GOS (Greatness of Spirit) Ambassadors Kapihan Session titled “An Afternoon with Mahabir Pun: ICT as a Tool for Education” on April 28, starting at 2:00pm.

As the head and founder of the Nepal Wireless Networking Project (NWNP), Pun now shares with the world the story of his work, the development and evolution of information and communication technology (ICT) in Nepal. He also talks about how NWNP is helping provide internet access, electronic commerce, education, telemedicine, and environmental and agricultural services to remote villages in the country.

About 40 guests, consisting of guests from the World Bank, GOS Ambassadors, ICT Association of the Philippines, and the media, are expected to attend the session live.

The event can also be viewed live online at http://www.rmaf.org.ph/newrmaf/main/community/ustream

On April 29-30, Pun will also speak at the launch of the joint Asian Development Bank/International Telecommunication Union initiative on information and communication technology for the Asia Pacific region. The two-day event will be hosted by the Philippine government and its Department of Science and Technology.

For more information or inquiries, contact Social Media Manager Mr. Yuri Baral at ybaral@rmaf.org.ph or 521-3166 loc 128.

#KalyePop: Boy band 1:43 puts a new twist to KPop in third album

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Boy band 1:43 puts a new twist  to KPop in their third album for release this April under MCA Music.

Often mistaken for Korean pop superstars, proudly all-Filipino boy band 1:43 (one forty-three) gives the term KPop a whole new meaning in their third album #KalyePop.

The album titled #KalyePop (KPop) is composed of six strong original tracks from the foremost Filipino boy band that popularized “Sa Isang Sulyap Mo,” the monster hit song that won the 2013 PMPC Star Award for Music “Song of the Year.”

“#KalyePop or KPop is our humble contribution to the rebirth of the local music industry. We hope that our new musical direction will advance our mission of winning back the Filipino audiences to Original Pilipino Music (OPM),” says boy band spokesman Anjo Resurreccion.

Except for the novelty song “Ang Saya-Saya” penned by acclaimed composer Jonathan Ong of Sonic State Studio, the rest of the tracks of #KalyePop, including the hit song “Hayop Sa Ganda” and the earlier promotional single “Ikaw At Ako” were composed by musician and the group’s road manager Urie Tesorio. Band manager and public relations entrepreneur Chris Cahilig produced the album while Ong arranged the songs. Its neocolonial themed album cover was photographed by 1:43’s original member Kimmeth Nicolas and styled by Ryuji Shiomitsu.

The three remaining tracks of #KalyePop include the cleverly titled novelty song “Istambay Me” which tackles about the rampancy of unemployment among Filipino youth and the ballads “Langit” and “Pwede Bang Malaman” which carry the 1:43’s signature romantic melody and lyrics. 

1:43 is composed of four talented, charming, and stylish men namely, Resurreccion, a University of Santo Tomas (UST) Psychology graduate and a MYX VJ Search finalist; Argee Golding, an international taekwondo medalist from UST; Gold Aquino, an entrepreneur and a Business Administration graduate from the Centro Escolar University (CEU); and Yuki Sakamoto, a Hotel and Restaurant Management student from CEU-Makati and the main vocalist of the group.

According to Cahilig, the idea of producing a #KalyePop for 1:43 has been in his mind since he formed the boy band in 2010 as a reaction to the young Filipino audience’s fancy for KPop music and star.

“#KalyePop is inspired by the musical aesthetics of the everyday Juan dela Cruz on the street. We wanted a selection of songs that can be easily played with a guitar while having a drinking session or danced by the masses young and old, rich or poor in public gatherings,” explains Cahilig.

One of the tracks of #KalyePop is now a certified radio hit. The song “Hayop Sa Ganda” has so far received over 330,000 views on Youtube and is considered the fastest moving OPM song on the social media site. It brought back 1:43, the original hit makers of the song “Sa Isang Sulyap Mo,” to the limelight.

The release of #KalyePop is supported by McJim Classic Leather and Belle Vita. Interested parties may book 1:43 by sending an inquiry at chriscahilig@gmail.com or visiting the 1:43 Fan Page on Facebook.

Luistro to new DepEd officials: "Be shepherds who smell like your sheep"

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“Kung ano ang ating tinatanim, ‘yun din ang bunga. Marami kayong mga desisyon na gagawin bilang Assistant Superintendent at Superintendent. At lahat ng mga desisyon na iyan ay desisyon para sa kagawaran at para sa mga kabataang pinagsisilbihan natin.”

This was how Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC challenged the newly-appointed executives of the Department of Education (DepEd) during their oath-taking, April 22. Schools Division Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents are third-level officials whose appointments are signed by the President and who need to swear an oath before the head of the agency.

Luistro reminded the officials of the trials and challenges that may distract them from their responsibilities. He hoped that though those challenges would come, they would still remember how their decisions would affect future generations.

“Ngayon ay ang unang araw na ang lahat ng inyong mga magiging desisyon ay magkakaroon ng bunga na ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Ang bawat desisyon ay isang magandang pagkakataon hindi lamang para sa sarili, kung hindi para din sa madla,” Luistro said.

DepEd Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera told the officials that with being a DepEd executive comes the responsibility to, not only take care of their personnel and the students, but to also be an example of what a real worker should be.

“Kaya lagi natin isipin na lahat ng ating gagawin ay tinitignan sa loob at labas ng DepEd. Kaya dapat maging karapat-dapat tayo sa tungkulin natin,” Rivera said.

Regions IV-A, IV-B, V and CAR DepEd executives taking their oath with DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC and DepEd Undersecretaries Rizalino Rivera, Mario Deriquito, Alberto Muyot and Francis Varela.

The 18 newly-appointed officials vowed to give their best in doing their tasks and responsibilities and to uphold and protect the Philippine Constitution. Among these officials are Fatima R. Boado, Zenia G. Mostoles, Lorna G. Bugayong, Joann A. Corpuz, Leilani S. Cunanan, Norma P. Esteban, Imelda P. Macaspac, Jose L. Doncillo, Loida N. Nidea, Sally B. Ullalim, Maria Magdalena M. Lim, William E. Gando and Crestito M. Morcilla from Luzon; Allan B. Yap, Dexter Y. Aguilar and Roseller N. Gelig from Visayas; and Mindanao officials, Omar A. Obas and Arsenio T. Cornites Jr.

In closing, Luistro quoted Pope John Paul II and challenged the officials to be officials ‘who smell like their sheep.’ He hopes that all officials would grow familiar and truly be more knowledgeable with the youth whom they will serve this coming June.