2023 National Food Fair: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

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The 2023 National Food Fair, bannering its theme of “Go Discover, Taste, Enjoy!” opened on Wednesday, July 12, in simple ceremonies headlined by Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual as the keynote speaker.

Organized by the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) in coordination with the DTI Regional Operations Group, the 2023 National Food Fair runs from July 12 to 16, at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Over 250 MSMEs from the country’s 17 regions are exhibiting their products onsite at the event venue. Simultaneously, an online national food fair on the Lazada e-commerce platform is also offering the products of participating MSMEs, for a wider market reach nationwide.

Showcasing the fusion of tradition and innovation, special settings, pavilions, and MSME clusters draw attention to developments that elevate traditional Filipino products to meet stringent food industry standards and be competitive in the global market. These are:

· Philippine Coconut Industry Pavilion and Coconut-Based MSME Cluster

· Philippine Food Industry Innovations Lounge

· Philippine Fruits and Nuts Pavilion

· Innovative and Biotech Products Cluster

· Rural Agro-Industrial Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project Pavilion

· Farm Fresh Produce Pavilion

· KAPEtirya or Philippine Coffee Pavilion

· Philippine Island Wine, Beer, and Juice Bar

For culinary enthusiasts, renowned Filipino chefs are part of the daily program of activities, with live cooking and food preparation demonstrations, among others. The lineup includes:

· The Ultimate Filipino Adobo: Stories Through the Ages book launching and cooking demonstrations (Chef Claude Tayag)

· Isang Dekada ng Guevarra’s: An Inspiring Story (Chef Laudico Guevarra)

· Fiesta Recipes (Chef Boy Logro)

· Halal Recipes and lavish feast during social occasions (Chef Yed Dimaporo & Mustapha Ala, Jr.)

· SIMPOL Recipes Using Coconut (Chef Tatung Sarthou)

· Culinary Kurobuta Masterpieces (Chef Donatello Montrone)

· Changing the Food Mindset: Slow Food (Chef Jam Melchor)

· Plant-based Desserts (Chef Aileen of Studio Plantmaed)

· Benefits of a Plant-based Diet (Chef Mylene Dolonius of Studio Plantmaed)

· Healthy Daily Recipes (Chef YLYT Frixiah Manaig)

· Magsaysay Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts (Chef Eric Gruba)

· The Farm at San Benito (Rose Pagcaliwagan)

· Philippine Wine Mixology (Bartender Nino Cruz)

The culminating highlight of this celebration of the diversity and rich heritage of Filipino food is an interactive cultural presentation of the BARMM Pagana Maguindanao, led by Mustafa Ala and Chef Yed Dimaporo. Pagana is a traditional Maguindanaon celebration that holds great cultural significance in the Maguindanao province of the Philippines. It is a festive event that brings the community together to honor and celebrate important occasions such as weddings, religious holidays, or community milestones. The Pagana celebration is characterized by lively music, colorful costumes, and traditional dances that showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Maguindanaon people. 

The rhythmic beats of the kulintang ensemble, a musical ensemble composed of gongs, set the tone for the festivities, while traditional dances like the Singkil and Pangalay mesmerize the audience with their graceful movements. The event also offers a feast of traditional Maguindanaon cuisine, featuring flavorful dishes like LININGGIL A MANOK (chicken cooked in turmeric and coconut milk) and palapa (a spicy condiment made from chili and scallions). Pagana is not only a time of celebration but also an opportunity to strengthen community bonds, pass down cultural traditions to younger generations, and showcase the rich artistic talents of the Maguindanaon people.

Also part of the daily program are entrepreneurship talks and learning sessions that can offer food entrepreneurs with resources and ideas about how to strengthen and position their businesses for continued growth. 

The topics covered by various government agencies and partner-institutions participating in the daily program are:

· Coconut-based Coffee and/or Cacao Enterprise Development Project (Department of Agriculture)

· Geographical Indications and the Benefits of Registering One’s Trademark or Brand in IPOPHIL (Intellectual Property Office)

· Sustainable Planting and Replanting of Local Cultivars; Natural and Healthy Coconut Vinegar; Health Benefits of Coconut (Philippine Coconut Authority)

· Halal Culinary Tourism (Department of Tourism)

· Bioplastic Derived from Pineapple Waste Packaging Technology; Coco-Based Food Technologies (Department of Science and Technology)

· Kitchen Lab and Food Connect Plus (Philippine Trade Training Center)

· Dairy and Coconut Farming, A Viable Integrated Farming Enterprise (National Dairy Authority)

· Boosting Nutrition to Different MSMEs as Suppliers of Healthy Food Products (National Nutrition Council)

· Healthy Food Consumption Trends and Research on Health Benefits of Philippine Herbs (Department of Health)

· Franchising – A Way to Make Every Filipino Taste Your Lola’s Recipe (Philippine Franchising Association)

· Accelerating Growth Through One Research and Extension in Action (UP Los Baños-Agora)

· How MSMEs Can Thrive Online (Lazada)

· Unilever’s Healthy and Sustainable Food Program (Unilever Philippines)

· Maximizing Your Digital Marketing Potential with Analytics and Business Intelligence (Pamela Padilla)

The daily program of activities is open to the public and free of charge. For the benefit of remote viewers, these are also being livestreamed on BDTP social media channels.

To stay updated about the 2023 National Food Fair and other programs of the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, please follow their social media accounts on Facebook (DTI.BDTP), Instagram (dti.bdtp), and Twitter (@DTI_BDTP). You may also email BDTP Director Marievic M. Bononan at bdtp@dti.gov.ph.

Seven ways tech and AI can help parents raise digitally responsible kids

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Kids today have access to information in a way that previous generations never had growing up. The challenge for parents is to help them learn how to be responsible digital citizens.

Thankfully, parents also have access to AI-powered apps and devices that can help them safeguard their kids’ online and real-life safety. Tech and AI can provide valuable, accessible, and round-the-clock assistance in safeguarding their children’s wellbeing.

Here are 7 ways tech and AI can help parents raise digitally responsible kids and make parenting a little easier.

1. Maximize generative AI to make learning about internet safety more interesting!

Besides capturing their attention, it’s also equally important to make sure that kids are interested in what we’re trying to engage them in.

If you’re looking for fun, creative ways to teach your kids about internet safety, try asking Bard—Google’s conversational generative AI chatbot! Simple questions like “What's a fun way to teach internet safety to kids?” or prompts like “Interactive websites that teach internet safety” can give you an entire list of ideas and activities that you can try out with your kids.

From book and story recommendations, interactive online games, conversation starters, and even additional tips, Bard will never run out of ideas on how you can make learning about internet safety an enjoyable experience.

2. Monitoring and limiting kids’ online interactions.

Tech can help protect kids from potential risks through content filtering based on their age. Tools by Google, for instance, make it possible for parents to monitor their children’s screen time, set limits and shut off their devices at bedtime.

If your kid is under 13, you can download Google's Family Link to track and control online activity, including text messaging and social media, using your own phone. TikTok's Digital Wellbeing features also allow you to remotely manage your kid’s TikTok from your phone. Circle Home Plus is a device and subscription service that pairs with your existing router and lets you pause access to the internet, create time limits, and add content filters to all devices on your home network (including Wi-Fi devices), plus manage phones and tablets outside the home.

3. Teaching kids empathy through situations IRL.

PLDT Home and Google’s Be Internet Awesome video series features Sam and his AI friend Robo-berto in fun and enlightening adventures that illustrate how kids can be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online.

The songs and situations that Sam finds himself in impart valuable lessons on digital responsibility such as thinking before you click and bullying. In one episode, Sam discovers that forwarding the posts of his friends can hurt them.

“Ako po’y nanliliit, ako ba ay nanglait? Parang di niya na gets, ibang react ba ang ipapalit?” he sings and turns to his friend Robo-berto. The robot sings, “Pag online chikahan, medyo hirap maintindihan.”

4. Making it easier to raise critical thinkers.

AI can analyze web content and online interactions to detect and block inappropriate or harmful websites and social media platforms. It can also identify signs of cyberbullying and harassment and analyze patterns and potential risks by monitoring various data sources.

At a young age, children can be trained to think critically about the accuracy of the information they read or watch. Is the story or post backed by credible evidence? AI can help filter information and trace the source of a story and its authenticity.

AI has given us countless hours of entertainment, allowing us to enjoy computer-generated images in movies and TV shows. Because they are so used to technology in a way their parents aren’t, kids can learn for themselves how to evaluate deepfake technology when it’s being used to sway or harm their young minds.

5. Keeping parents well-informed about their children’s location.

AI-powered GPS and geolocation technologies can help parents keep abreast of their children’s whereabouts. Are they in school, with friends, in the mall? Or are they in a place where they would normally not go? Wearable devices like watches or smartphone apps use AI algorithms to provide real-time location updates and geofencing capabilities. They can also alert parents if their child goes beyond predetermined safe zones.

6. Making homes more secure.

Surveillance and security systems are now so advanced that you can monitor your home 24/7 from your phone. AI-powered cameras and systems use algorithms to analyze video feeds to detect unusual behavior, identify potential dangers — like if someone left the door open — and send an alert.

7. Monitoring the family’s health.

Tech has made it possible for wearable devices and smartphones to track vital signs and provide health monitoring. They can detect irregularities in their sleep patterns, heart rate and activity levels among many others. When these irregularities are detected in your children, the device will alert you to potential health issues.

8. Assessing children’s development.

Apps and online tools use AI algorithms to analyze videos or recordings of a child's behavior and provide insights on their cognitive, motor, and social development. Parents can also use AI-powered scheduling apps to manage their kids’ school routines and homework to simplify the family’s daily schedule.

PLDT Home is committed to keeping children safe online and at the same time giving them access to information that helps in their education, wellbeing, and growth. This contributes to the PLDT Group’s broader commitment to help the country attain UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 16 which promotes just, peaceful and inclusive societies including the end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

COMCO Mundo Unveils the Much-Awaited “UNMASKED: The COMCO Mundo Write to Ignite Season 3”

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Coming from the success of the first two seasons of its “Write to Ignite”, COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises proudly announces its much-awaited third season this 2023.

COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises is bringing back its Write to Ignite for its third season with the theme “UNMASKED”.

Over the course of two seasons, Write to Ignite has brought together bloggers, content creators and storytellers from all over the Philippines to share their stories, connect to people, and inspire the nation. And for season 3, it is time to tell and unmask the stories of others they have been longing to share.

“UNMASKED: The COMCO Mundo Write to Ignite Season 3” aims to explore how each mask is a person brimming with hope and wonders to share with others, as well as why it is important to tell their inspiring journeys in life.

Once again, Filipino bloggers, content creators and storytellers are invited to join by simply doing their dream interview with people and sharing their inspiring stories that need to be heard. Participants have the freedom on who they interview, from simple people to high profile personalities as long as they agree to be part of the project.

Entrants must share the blog or story on their Facebook account and Facebook page. Include a short caption, tag COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises’ official Facebook page, and use the hashtags #COMCOMundoWriteToIgniteSeason3 #UNMASKED and #MeaningfulStorytelling. Make sure that the post is set to public.

To register, participating bloggers need to e-mail their blog entry to COMCO Mundo at headquarters@comcomundo.com with the following details: full name, e-mail address, mailing address, contact number, link of the Facebook share/ post about the blog, and Title/ URL of the blog entry. Deadline of publishing of the blog post and submission is on July 30, 2023, 11:59PM.

By submitting their entry, the participating bloggers confirm that they already secured permission from their respective interviewee(s) as a featured subject.

Criteria will be based on Writing / Creativity (70%), Use of Media (Photos / Videos / Music / Graphics, 25%), and Engagement (Positive Comments on the Blog, 5%).

Exciting prizes await the winners of “Write to Ignite”. Prizes include:

Grand Champion: PHP 40,000 + 2 International Round Tickets from airasia + Merchandise Items from Sponsors and Participating Brands (PHP 15k donation to chosen NGO accredited by COMCO Mundo)

1st Runner-up: PHP 20,000 + Merchandise Items from Sponsors and Participating Brands (PHP 12k donation to chosen NGO accredited by COMCO Mundo)

2nd Runner-up: PHP 15,000 + Merchandise Items from Sponsors and Participating Brands (PHP 12k donation to chosen NGO accredited by COMCO Mundo)

3rd Runner-up: PHP 12,000 + Merchandise Items from Sponsors and Participating Brands (PHP 10k donation to chosen NGO accredited by COMCO Mundo)

4th Runner-up: PHP 10,000 + Merchandise Items from Sponsors and Participating Brands (PHP 10k donation to chosen NGO accredited by COMCO Mundo)

6th to 10th place: PHP 4,000 + Merchandise Items from Sponsors and Participating Brands

11th to 20th place: PHP 2,000 + Merchandise Items from Sponsors Participating Brands

21st to 40th place: Merchandise Items from Sponsors and Participating Brands

Each of the top 5 winners will also win for a cause as part of their prize is the opportunity to donate to any of the charitable institution or non-government organization (NGO) accredited by COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises. These are Make-A-Wish Foundation, PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society), Philippine Eagle Foundation, Save the Children, and SOS Children's Villages. The top 40 finalists will be announced and will be invited to a special awards night where the top 5 winners will be declared. The top 40 finalists will also receive special prizes from participating brand partners.

This contest is open to all Filipino bloggers age 18 years old and above who reside in the Philippines. The blog should be in existence for at least one year and have a minimum of 20 blog posts. Submitting an entry in the contest signifies permission of the participant for the Organizers to use the submitted materials to promote, communicate and further the cause of the project. Participants also agree that blog entries shall remain published in perpetuity.

Write to Ignite Season 3: Unmasked is made possible by COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises, with airasia, Babyflo and PHILUSA Corporation, Century Tuna, Licealiz and Lamoiyan Corporation, Rémy Martin, and Uratex Monoblock as brand partners.

““Write to Ignite” is truly one of COMCO’s epic initiatives as it further champions our work’s mission to do #MeaningfulStorytelling. This initiative is born during the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the whole world slowly transitioning to what we call the new normal, it is only apt that we have “Unmasked” as our official theme for Season 3 as it reflects our hopeful state and the need to unravel the stories of others. To our dear Filipino bloggers in different parts of the country, “Write to Ignite” is for you and your readers, and we can’t wait to read the stories you will be sharing with the rest of the world,” said Mr. Ferdinand L. Bondoy, COMCO Mundo’s Group Chief Executive Director and Lead Strategic Communications Counsel / Partner and Co-Founder.

To know more about COMCO Mundo and “Write to Ignite”, visit comcomundo.com. Follow them on social media: facebook.com/comcomundo on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comcomundo, and @comcomundo on Instagram.

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About COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises

COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises is the parent company and umbrella group for all of COMCO’s existing and upcoming ventures and initiatives, a collective of agencies and programs dedicated to advancing the communications profession and related disciplines such as digital, media, advocacy, training and education, and entrepreneurship, among others; to being a force for social change; to nurturing talent growth and workplace community culture; and to championing borderless collaboration. The COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises is comprised of COMCO Southeast Asia, COMCO Middle East and Africa, TARO AOX Digital + Integrated Communications, SEA Wave Pop Culture Studio, Camp COMCO Mentorship Program and Alumni Society, and Citizen COMCO Advocacy Program.

Android Malware Disguised as ChatGPT Apps Targeting Smartphone Users : Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 Research

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Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, has recently found a surge in Android malware that is pretending to be the popular AI Chatbot ChatGPT. The malware emerged following the release of OpenAI's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, targeting users interested in using the ChatGPT tool.

A Meterpreter Trojan disguised as a "SuperGPT" app and a "ChatGPT" app are found to send premium-rate text messages, resulting in charges for the victims that are pocketed by threat actors. Considering that Android users can download applications from various sources other than the official Google Play store, there is potential for users to obtain applications that have not been vetted by Google.

Key findings include:

●       Impersonation of ChatGPT: A new android malware has emerged, disguising itself as ChatGPT. This surge coincided with the release of OpenAI's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, targeting users interested in ChatGPT.

●       Meterpreter Trojan: The malware includes a Meterpreter Trojan disguised as a "SuperGPT" app. It enables remote access to infected Android devices upon successful exploitation.

●       Certificate Attribution: The digital code-signing certificate used in the malware samples is associated with an attacker identified as "Hax4Us." The certificate has been used across multiple malware samples.

●       SMS to Premium-Rate Numbers: A cluster of malware samples, masquerading as ChatGPT-themed apps, sends SMS messages to premium-rate numbers in Thailand. These numbers incur charges for the victims, facilitating scams and fraudulent activities.

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About Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks is the world’s cybersecurity leader. We innovate to outpace cyberthreats, so organizations can embrace technology with confidence. We provide next-gen cybersecurity to thousands of customers globally, across all sectors. Our best-in-class cybersecurity platforms and services are backed by industry-leading threat intelligence and strengthened by state-of-the-art automation. Whether deploying our products to enable the Zero Trust Enterprise, responding to a security incident, or partnering to deliver better security outcomes through a world-class partner ecosystem, we’re committed to helping ensure each day is safer than the one before. It’s what makes us the cybersecurity partner of choice.

At Palo Alto Networks, we’re committed to bringing together the very best people in service of our mission, so we’re also proud to be the cybersecurity workplace of choice, recognized among Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces (2021 and 2022), Comparably Best Companies for Diversity (2021), and HRC Best Places for LGBTQ Equality (2022). For more information, visit www.paloaltonetworks.com.

Gigacover, Generali partner to provide affordable health insurance for freelancers, entrepreneurs

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Insurtech Gigacover and Generali Philippines, a leading player in the insurance industry, have teamed up to further democratize access to insurance in the Philippines.

From left: Grace Gelle, Vice President, Generali, and Amerson Lin, CEO and

 Co-founder, Gigacover

With the partnership, Generali will be able to feature its wide-range of insurance products that are tailor-fit to the needs of Filipino consumers in Gigacover’s platform.

“Gigacover and Generali share the same vision and strategy of leveraging technology and making insurance more accessible to many people and varied industries. In an ever-changing world, the means to get insured also evolves. We will rely on our core strengths – Generali as a trusted, global insurance provider and Gigacover as a transformative platform – to provide Filipinos a more seamless and innovative approach to insurance,” Gigacover CEO and Co-founder Amerson Lin said.

Gigacover’s Freelancer Health Insurance is a comprehensive and tailored insurance solution designed specifically for the needs of freelancers and self-employed individuals. The insurance plan offers a range of benefits and coverage options to safeguard freelancers’ health and well-being while providing peace of mind in an ever-changing professional landscape.

With over 1,600 accredited hospitals and clinics, and more than 30,000 partner doctors nationwide, coverage options include confinement, doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, emergency care benefits, special procedures, new modalities of treatment, annual physical exams, and dental coverage. All of this is available for a low, annual, one-time payment of Php 11,188.

“We at Generali believe in developing comprehensive insurance products at affordable costs. Our partnership with Gigacover allows us to further democratize access to insurance products, driving insurance interest and acceptance, as a whole, in the Philippines,” Generali Vice President Grace Gelle said.

Data from the Insurance Commission (IC) showed that insurance penetration, which refers to the industry’s contribution to the economy, was at 1.72 percent in 2022, while insurance density, or the average spending of individuals on premiums, was still at P3,388.99.

The government recognizes the need to accelerate the development of the industry with no less than the Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado urging the sector to make insurance more accessible to more Filipinos.

Insurtech companies such as Gigacover are best positioned to develop insurance solutions that cater to the needs of the underserved segments of the economy, especially freelance workers and entrepreneurs.

Gigacover has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to help insurers analyze big data and identify risks quickly and accurately. As a result, risk assessment and management strategies become smart and impartial.

More than getting more Filipinos insured, Gigacover’s system is able to extract data from claims documents and images, calculate and check against limits, detect potential fraud and also decide if advance claims payouts can be done for specific customer groups. This yields higher client satisfaction and also lower loss ratios for the insurers.

“Our goal is to bring quality and affordable insurance closer to the underserved. Our partnership with Generali is a step toward this goal,” Lin said.

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About Gigacover

Gigacover was founded in 2017 in Singapore to bring fairness and stability to independent workers. These include gig workers, freelancers and self-employed persons, many of whom lack access to right-sized financial services. It launched the region's first income protection insurance to meet the needs of the gig economy and has since gone on to serve caregivers, tutors, real estate agents and delivery riders. Gigacover's product suite has also expanded to include earnings advances and payroll accounts. Through technology and data, Gigacover automates distribution, administration and generates insights for risk management in order to bring flexible, affordable and portable benefits to its users. As of 2021, Gigacover has presence in Singapore and the Philippines and is backed by Vectr Fintech Partners, Quest Venture Partners, Alto Partners, M Venture Partners and Farsight Capital.

For more information, please visit: https://gigacover.com

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About Generali

Generali Life Assurance Philippines Inc. (Generali Philippines), a subsidiary of leading global insurer Assicurazioni Generali, has been providing life insurance solutions to international and local clients in the Philippines since 1999, and has a solid track record particularly in the group insurance and credit life business. Sustainability is deeply integrated into everything we do: from social and green products, digital – based services, Corporate Social Responsibility, DEI programs, responsible investments among others.

To know more about Generali, visit www.generali.com.ph.