Willie Nepomuceno, the King of Impressionism, and Nonoy Zuñiga, Pop Icon Headline “Music and Laughter” at the Theatre at Solaire this July

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Live show aficionados will get a kick and a rush of nostalgia on July 27 8pm at the Theatre at Solaire when Grand Leisure Corporation brings Willie Nepomuceno and Nonoy Zuñiga together in “Music and Laughter.” 

Two of the most formidable names in their respective fields of entertainment, the Man with the Many Faces and Voices Willie Nepomuceno and Pop icon and OPM hitmaker Nonoy Zuñiga have done shows together outside of the country but “Music and Laughter” marks the first time that Nepomuceno and Zuñiga will headline a concert together in Manila. 

“Come to think of it, we've done shows together outside of Manila and we've crossed paths a number of times at the airport but with different destinations,” shares Nepomuceno who has performed before at the Eclipse Lounge also inside Solaire. “I am both excited and nervous about performing at the Theatre at Solaire.”

Zuñiga has done two previous shows at the Theatre at Solaire but with other artists. “This time I am excited to do a back-to-back show with ace impressionist, Willie Nep.”

Being the pioneer in the field of mimicry in the Philippines, Nepomuceno surprisingly finds Zuñiga, primarily a singer, “a natural humorist.” “His (Nonoy’s) songs are easily ‘singable’ that can appeal to all ages because the themes are universal. I particularly fancy his ‘I'll Never Ever Say Goodbye’ because everyone somehow passes through that sentimental episode in life, no matter how corny it may seem.”

Nepomuceno reminds us of a grand time when impressionists took their work seriously, painstakingly working on the characters they take on stage. “I really work hard at my craft, almost to perfection.”

In “Music and Laughter,” Nepomuceno showcases once more his unique brand of impressionism that has kept audiences packed in all his previous performances through a legendary career in entertainment. “My repertoire will consist of a blend of foreign celebrities and some local ones but this time, I'm veering away from the political satire which my audience has come to know me for---as a timely respite from the irritable summer heat of the season as well.”

Zuñiga welcomes the collaboration with Nepomuceno because he has always been a big fan of the latter. “Willie Nep is very professional in his ways and makes you feel at home performing with him. His impressions of Presidents Marcos, Ramos, and Erap (Estrada) are inimitable.”

Zuñiga is, hands down, one of the foremost Filipino balladeers of all time with a string of unforgettable hits, among them “Never Ever Say Goodbye,” “Kumusta Ka?” “Doon Lang,” “Love Without Time,” and “Fragments of Forever.” Never the kind to rest on his laurels, Zuñiga has just released his first digital single in support of VisPop or Visayan Pop; the song is called “Pero Atik Ra,” a duet with Jolianne Salvado.

As Willie Nepomuceno himself puts it, “Music and Laughter” is a show not to be missed because it will offer “pleasant entertainment and engaging humor.” Music and laughter are a magical combination that allows us to dream, think of the good times, and hope for better tomorrows.

This show is brought to you by Grand Leisure Corporation, tickets to “Music and Laughter” are available through Ticketworld or call 891-9999

ALASKA IRONKIDS: SA PORMA, GALAW, AT PUSO – WALANG TATALO!

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IronKids is a three-in-one sport which combines, swimming, cycling, and running, which tests one’s physical and mental will. But how do you add in the fun?

While teaching children the values of hard work, determination, team work, sportsmanship, and discipline, Alaska IronKids is, first and foremost, an avenue for kids to make the most of their time and energy engaged in sports instead of whiling their time away playing video games or browsing the internet. It also allows them to mingle and make new friends while having fun.

With the excitement built up from Swim.Bike.Run in Davao City last March and Swim.Run at the Ateneo de Manila Grade School grounds the following month, both kids and parents have so much to look forward to the second half of 2018.

On Saturday, June 02, more than 350 young athletes from all over the country are expected to conquer Subic Bay in the Alaska IronKids Swim.Run at the WOW Recreation and Activity Center in Subic Bay.

Mr. Fred Uytengsu, SEI President and Alaska Milk Corporation Chairman of the Board, shared that while they enjoy the race by ‘playing’ the sport, Alaska IronKids promotes creative ways to instill sportsmanship and discipline to young athletes.

"More than encouraging healthier, active lifestyles, Alaska IronKids offers children and teens the opportunity to build confidence and learn the values of discipline, hard work, and perseverance, while making new friends and having fun!” said Uytengsu.

Clifford Pusing who is running in his last Alaska IronKids race this weekend, dreams of leveling up his game by joining the Ironman next year with the help of Coach Ani de Leon-Brown and his father Mike. Through the years, his dedication for Alaska IronKids has remained the same, win or lose.

Clifford Pusing finishing 1st in the boys 13-14 category of Alaska IronKids 2018 in Davao

“I chose to join Alaska IronKids because they gave me a chance to develop my skills and sportsmanship. Winning is everything but when I lose, I learned to accept my defeat with dignity,” he stated.

Wacky Baniqued finishing 1st in the boys 13-14 category of Alaska IronKids 2017 in Cebu

Wacky Baniqued, who has been lording it over in the event since age seven, meanwhile, wrapped up his Alaska IronKids career last year in Cebu City in top spot.

“I am thankful to the organizer of Alaska IronKids. It has been so much fun experience for me. I am part of the Philippine Triathlon Team now because IronKids introduced me to the exciting world of triathlon,” Baniqued, a proud product of Alaska IronKids, expressed.

He also now serves as Alaska IronKids volunteer marshall as his way of giving back to the program. Baniqued was present during the Swim.Run at Ateneo Grade School and is expected to support the program anew in Alaska IronKids Swim.Run Subic on June 2.

Coach Ani de Leon-Brown (leftmost) and the podium finishers capping off the Alaska IronKids 2018 in Davao with a milk toast

“Alaska IronKids aims to give excitement to children and encourage a love for the outdoors and healthier lifestyles. In addition, it provides the perfect venue for families to bond and for parents to demonstrate in ‘real-time’ that being healthy can also be fun,” Uytengsu said.

A study conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) showed that obesity has become one of the prevalent nutritional problems of Filipino children, affecting about 5 out of 100 kids. This growing health issue has prompted Alaska to reinforce its thrust in promoting proper nutrition by drinking milk and nourishing healthy lifestyle through sports and outdoor activities for the youth.

“A balanced diet and training, along with Alaska Chocolate Powdered Milk Drink, helps your child’s body to function at its optimum and recover quickly after training and race day. It has energizing nutrients namely magnesium, calcium, and potassium that keep young athletes' bodies in winning form. Para sa porma, galaw, at puso – walang tatalo!” says Ms. Blen Fernando, Marketing Director of Alaska Milk Corporation.

Happening back-to-back with IronKids is the first full distance triathlon event to be held in the country. With this year’s theme “Ironman sa Sariling Bayan”, IRONMAN PHILIPPINES PRESENTED BY ALASKA will be held on June 3, Sunday in Subic with August Benedicto as the Philippines’ lone representative. As of May 18, the total number of participants have been listed at 1,553 – 1,272 for the full distance with 281 for the 70.3. Daniel dela Cruz will be designing the medals.

After the action-filled weekend in Subic Bay, action shifts to Cebu City for the Alaska IronKids Swim. Bike. Run slated on August 4.

Help your child reach his full potential by participating in ALASKA IRONKIDS PHILIPPINES. For more information, visit www.IronKidsphil.com and www.playPH.com, and follow @AlaskaMilkPhilippines and @playPH in Facebook for live updates.

Robinsons Land Corporation hosts first Art Competition in partnership with AAP to promote Pinoy talent

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Titled “Kulayan ang Ganda ng Pilipinas,” the Robinsons Land National Art Competition 2018 hosted by Summit Hotels and Resorts encourages local artists to showcase the beauty of the Philippines through art.

In support of the admirable Pinoy talent in the arts, Robinsons Land Corporation partnered with Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) to launch the Robinsons Land National Art Competition 2018, hosted by Summit Hotels and Resorts.

Titled “Kulayan ang Ganda ng Pilipinas,” the competition aims to foster awareness and appreciation for the ever-evolving Filipino art scene while also showcasing the environmental beauty of the Philippines as depicted through the eyes of an artist. It was launched last May 12, 2018 at the Momento Function Room of Summit Hotel Magnolia and submission of entries will be on June 16, 2018.

The competition was specifically created to tap members of the AAP, comprised of artists and creators — those who have long been in the field and those who are only beginning to realize their potential.

RLC and AAP executives spearhead the launch of the art competition at Summit Hotel Magnolia last May 12, 2018: (L-R) Monette R. Alvarez – AAP Treasurer, Elizabeth D. Gregorio – Go Hotels and Summit Hotels and Resorts General Manager, Lisette A. Arena – Summit Hotels and Resorts Senior Marketing Manager, Veronica L. Olan – Member of the AAP Board of Directors, Margarita Lim – AAP Secretary, Fidel M. Sarmiento – AAP President, and Cshanelle Cruz – Summit Hotels and Resorts Marketing Officer for Events and Promotions.

Interested participants must create an original piece that falls into either of the two categories: representational, or non-representational. Only those who choose to submit a piece that is representational — that is, art that contains clearly recognizable objects — must follow the main theme of the competition, “Kulayan ang Ganda ng Pilipinas.” Those who choose to submit non-representational pieces may follow any theme.

Art pieces must only be done through oil on canvas, acrylic on canvas, or watercolor only. Any other forms of media including mixed media, collages, and digitally-enhanced pieces are prohibited.

Winners will be announced on June 19, 2018 during the Awarding Event at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. Winning entries will also be displayed in all Summit Hotels and Resorts properties nationwide.

Complete guidelines and mechanics for the competition can be viewed at the Summit Hotels and Resorts website and official Facebook page. Submissions will be accepted until June 16, 2018 at the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation - Technical Training Center in Rosario, Pasig City.

Stay in for the summer! Get the whole family together with the Roku Powered™ TVolution

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As we reach the height of this year’s scorching summer, everyone’s trying to find ways to cool down. 

Here’s an idea: How about a streaming marathon of your favorite TV series and movies? With a bowl of popcorn and some ice-cold drinks, summer binge-watching at home is definitely a great—and cheaper—bonding activity that you can enjoy over and over again!  

Nobody will ever complain of running out of things to watch at home with the Roku Powered™ TVolution—an all-in-one, plug-and-play entertainment device that streams high-definition movies and TV shows from global entertainment leaders straight to your television set. 

Powered by the country’s most powerful broadband, PLDT Home Fibr, the Roku Powered™ TVolution offers seamless, high-quality, and lag-free viewing experiences for the entire family to enjoy. With this revolutionary entertainment solution, you can choose from a wide selection of high-definition channels from the Philippines largest pay TV provider Cignal; enjoy the biggest selection of top Hollywood, Asian, and local movies and TV shows from iflix, the world’s leading entertainment service for emerging markets; critically-acclaimed Netflix originals and films (Netflix subscription required); over a billion hours of videos every single day from YouTube, the world’s largest streaming website; and over 100 free streaming channels.

Still not decided what to watch? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with some themes to craft a personalized watch list to suit your preferences and moods!

• Children’s Hour

  

Keep the kids entertained for hours on end with a customized playlist of kid-friendly movies and cartoons such as Happy Feet, Inside Out, Jack the Giant Slayer, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and The Lego Movie  - all available on iflix Kids. Or simply tune in to Disney XD HD and Cartoon Network HD via Cignal for awesome non-stop kid-friendly programming!

• Thrills and Chills

If thriller, suspense, and horror are right up your family’s alley, Cignal has you covered with channels like Thrill, FOX Crime, and FOX Action Movies. You can also curate your very own thrills-and-chills playlist with iflix by simply browsing through the categories of your choice—choose from hundreds of blockbusters, critically acclaimed films, and exclusive digital content at your leisure. And the best part of all? Nobody has to miss vital clues or unexpected jump scares while replenishing the popcorn bowl—simply hit pause and dive right back into the action when you’re ready!

• Rom-Com Extravaganza

Everyone needs a good dose of comedy-infused romance, so get your mom, sisters, cousins, and every rom-com addict in the family for the best of Hollywood, Asian, and Pinoy romance movies and TV series on iflix. You’ll have a cornucopia of popular K-drama, Wattpad Presents, and blockbuster titles right at your fingertips to fill the heart with all the kilig you can handle.

• Docu-all-you-want

Documentaries get the undeserved reputation of being “boring”—maybe you just haven’t seen the right ones yet. iflix offers hundreds of titles covering music icons, historical figures, athletes, celebrities, hobbies, and a wide range of relevant issues that will guarantee your entertainment and additional knowledge. Also available on Cignal are Discovery, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Animal Planet, and History Channel—all offering high-quality programming for documentary fans and those who wish to be educated and entertained at the same time.

Get started on planning your Roku Powered™ TVolution streaming marathon! Visit www.pldthome.com/fibr for more information.

Understanding the Cybersecurity Threat , Landscape in Asia Pacific Securing the Modern Enterprise in a Digital World"

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FY18 Microsoft Asia Pacific Cybersecurity Study entitled "Understanding the Cybersecurity Threat , Landscape in Asia Pacific Securing the Modern Enterprise in a Digital World" aims to provide business and IT decision makers with insigths on the economic cost of cybersecurity breaches in the region and identify the gaps in organizations'cybersecurity strategis, on May 29, 2018 at the Grand Hyatt in Bonifacio Global City. 

Digital transformation has dominated C-suites, boardrooms, and even governmental discussions in the last few years. Today, it is an accepted viewpoint that in the near future, every organization will be a digital one. Security is the number one focus and priority for organizations in a digital world where devices, data, and mobility converge to provide new connected experiences in work, live and play.

The case study looks at the state of cybersecurity in Asia Pacific, specifically the perils of digital transformation, economic impact of cybersecurity attacks, cybersecurity strategies, as well as recommendations from several industry experts.

Security experts discuss the economic impact of cybersecurity in the PH during Microsoft’s study launch. From L-R: Hans Bayaborda, Managing Director, Microsoft Philippines; Mary Jo Schrade, Assistant General Counsel, Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, Microsoft Asia; Angel “Lito” S. Averia, Jr., President, Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team; Atty. Raul Cortez, Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs Lead, Microsoft Philippines.

Cybersecurity threats to cost organizations in the Philippines US$3.5 billion in economic losses

Microsoft and Frost & Sullivan Study reveals that:

• A large-sized organization in the Philippines can possibly incur an economic loss ofUS$7.5 million, more than 200 times the average economic loss for a mid-sized organization
• Cybersecurity attacks have led to job losses in seven in ten (72%) organizations over the last year
• Cybersecurity concerns delay Digital Transformation plans
• Organizations are increasingly leveraging Artificial Intelligence to enhance their cybersecurity strategy

A Frost & Sullivan study commissioned by Microsoft revealed that the potential economic loss in the Philippines due to cybersecurity incidents can hit a staggeringUS$3.5 billion. This is 1.1 percent of the Philippines’ total GDP of US$305 billion[1].

The study, titled “Understanding the Cybersecurity Threat Landscape in Asia Pacific: Securing the Modern Enterprise in a Digital World”, aims to provide business and IT decision makers with insights on the economic cost of cybersecurity breaches in the region and identify the gaps in organizations’ cybersecurity strategies. The study involved a survey of 1,300 business and IT decision makers ranging from mid-sized organizations (250 to 499 employees) to large-sized organizations (>than 500 employees). 

The study reveals that more than half of the organizations surveyed in the Philippines have either experienced a cybersecurity incident (18%) or are not sure if they had one as they have not performed proper forensics or data breach assessment (34%).

“As companies embrace the opportunities presented by cloud and mobile computing to connect with customers and optimize operations, they take on new risks,” said Hans Bayaborda, Managing Director, Microsoft Philippines. “With traditional IT boundaries disappearing the adversaries now have many new targets to attack. Companies face the risk of significant financial loss, damage to customer satisfaction and market reputation — as has been made all too clear by recent high-profile breaches.”

The True Cost of Cybersecurity Incidents – Economic, Opportunity and Job Losses

The study revealed that:

• A large-sized organization in the Philippines can possibly incur an economic loss of US$7.5 million, more than 200 times higher than the average economic loss for a mid-sized organization (US$35,000); and
• Cybersecurity attacks have resulted in job losses across different functions in seven in ten (72%) organizations that have experienced an incident over the last 12 months.

To calculate the cost of cybercrime, Frost & Sullivan has created an economic loss model based on macro-economic data and insights shared by the survey respondents. This model factors in three kinds of losses which could be incurred due to a cybersecurity breach:

• Direct: Financial losses associated with a cybersecurity incident - this includes loss of productivity, fines, remediation cost, etc;
• Indirect: The opportunity cost to the organization such as customer churn due to reputation loss; and
• Induced: The impact of cyber breach to the broader ecosystem and economy, such as the decrease in consumer and enterprise spending.

“Although the direct losses from cybersecurity breaches are most visible, they are but just the tip of the iceberg,” said Edison Yu, Vice President and Asia Pacific Head of Enterprise for Frost & Sullivan. “There are many other hidden losses that we have to consider from both the indirect and induced perspectives, and the economic loss for organizations suffering from cybersecurity attacks can be often underestimated.”

In addition to financial losses, cybersecurity incidents are also undermining the Philippines organizations’ ability to capture future opportunities in today’s digital economy, with more than half (57%) respondents stating that their enterprise has put off digital transformation efforts due to the fear of cyber-risks.

Key Cyberthreats and Gaps in the Philippines Organizations’ Cybersecurity Strategies

Although high-profile cyberattacks, such as ransomware, have been garnering a lot of attention from enterprises, the study found that for organizations in the Philippines that have encountered cybersecurity incidents, data exfiltration and data corruption are the biggest concern as they have the highest impact with the slowest recovery time.

Besides external threats, the research also revealed key gaps in organizations’ cybersecurity approach to protect their digital estate:

• Security an afterthought: Only 44% of organizations consider cybersecurity before the start of a digital transformation project. Majority of respondents (56%) either think about cybersecurity only after they start on the project or do not consider it at all. This limits their ability to conceptualize and deliver a “secure-by-design” project, potentially leading to insecure products going out into the market;

• Creating a Complex Environment: Negating the popular belief that deploying a large portfolio of cybersecurity solutions will render stronger protection, the survey revealed that 17% of respondents with more than 50 cybersecurity solutions could recover from cyberattacks within an hour. In contrast, more than twice as many respondents (38%) with fewer than 10 cybersecurity solutions responded that they can recover from cyberattacks within an hour; and

• Lacking cybersecurity strategy: While more and more organizations are considering digital transformation to gain competitive advantage, the study has shown that 46% of respondents see cybersecurity strategy only as a means to safeguard the organization against cyberattacks rather than a strategic business enabler. A mere 25% of organizations see cybersecurity strategy as a digital transformation enabler.

  

“The ever-changing threat environment is challenging, but there are ways to be more effective using the right blend of modern technology, strategy, and expertise,” added Hans. “Microsoft is empowering businesses in the Philippines to take advantage of digital transformation by enabling them to embrace the technology that’s available to them, securely through its secure platform of products and services, combined with unique intelligence and broad industry partnerships.”

Artifical Intelligence (AI) is the Next Frontier in Cybersecurity Defense

In a digital world where cyberthreats are constantly evolving and attack surface is rapidly expanding, AI is becoming a potent opponent against cyberattacks as it can detect and act on threat vectors based on data insights. The study reveals that more than almost four in five (79%) organizations in the Philippines have either adopted or are looking to adopt an AI approach towards boosting cybersecurity.

AI’s ability to rapidly analyze and respond to unprecedented quantities of data is becoming indispensable in a world where cyberattacks’ frequency, scale and sophistication continue to increase.

An AI-driven cybersecurity architecture will be more intelligent and be equipped with predictive abilities to allow organizations to fix or strengthen their security posture before problems emerge. It will also grant companies with the capabilities to accomplish tasks, such as identifying cyberattacks, removal of persistent threats and fixing bugs, faster than any human could, making it an increasingly vital element of any organizations’ cybersecurity strategy.

Recommendations for securing the modern enterprise in a digital world

AI is but one of the many aspects that organizations need to incorporate or adhere to in order to maintain a robust cybersecurity posture. For a cybersecurity practice to be successful, organizations need to consider People, Process and Technology, and how each of these contributes to the overall security posture of the organization.

To help organizations better withstand and respond to cyberattacks and malware infections, here are five best practices that they can consider in improving their defense against cybersecurity threats:

• Position cybersecurity as a digital transformation enabler: Disconnect between cybersecurity practices and digital transformation effort creates a lot of frustration for the employees. Cybersecurity is a requirement for digital transformation to guide and keep the company safe through its journey. Conversely, digital transformation presents an opportunity for cybersecurity practices to abandon aging practices to embrace new methods of addressing today’s risks;

• Continue to invest in strengthening your security fundamentals: Over 90% of cyber incidents can be averted by maintaining the most basic best practices.  Maintaining strong passwords, conditional use of multi-factor authentication against suspicious authentications, keeping device operating systems, software and anti-malware protection up-to-date and genuine can rapidly raise the bar against cyberattacks. This should include not just tool-sets but also training and policies to support a stronger fundamental;

• Maximize skills and tools by leveraging integrated best-of-suite tools. The best tools are useless in the hands of the amateur. Reduce the number of tools and the complexity of your security operations to allow your operators to hone their proficiency with the available tools. Prioritizing best-of-suite tools is a great way to maximize your risk coverage without the risk of introducing too many tools and complexity to the environment. This is especially true if tools within the suite are well-integrated to take advantage of their counterparts;

• Assessment, review and continuous compliance: The organization should be in a continuous state of compliance. Assessments and reviews should be conducted regularly to test for potential gaps that may occur as the organization is rapidly transforming and address these gaps. The board should keep tab on not just compliance to industry regulations but also how the organization is progressing against security best practices; and

• Leverage AI and automation to increase capabilities and capacity: With security capabilities in short supply, organizations need to look to automation and AI to improve the capabilities and capacity of their security operations. Current advancements in AI has shown a lot of promise, not just in raising detections that would otherwise be missed but also in reasoning over how the various data signals should be interpreted with recommended actions. Such systems have seen great success in cloud implementations where huge volumes of data can be processed rapidly. Ultimately, leveraging automation and AI can free up cybersecurity talents to focus on higher-level activities.

For more information on the study, please visit:

https://news.microsoft.com/apac/features/cybersecurity-in-asia/  ‎

To better understand the cyberthreats happening globally and in Asia Pacific, please download the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report Volume 23 here: https://info.microsoft.com/ww-landing-Security-Intelligence-Report-Vol-23-Landing-Page-eBook.html

About the “Understanding the Cybersecurity Threat Landscape in Asia Pacific: Securing the Modern Enterprise in a Digital World” Study

This study involved a survey conducted with 1,300 respondents from 13 markets - Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

All respondents are business and IT decision-makers involved in shaping their organizations’ cybersecurity strategies. 44% of them being business decision-makers, including CEOs, COOs and Directors, while 56% are IT decision-makers, including CIOs, CISO and IT Directors. 29% of participants are from mid-sized organizations (250 to 499 staff); and 71% are from large-sized organizations (more than 500 staff).

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.