Checkpoint Cindy: 2020

Dec 31, 2020

Better IT career opportunities, win cash prizes while learning enterprise computing

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Forrester research found that careers in enterprise computing offer better salaries and more rewarding than other careers in information technology. Large enterprises are looking to hire students who can bring their own innovative ideas and passion while leveraging the company’s existing technological investments.

"71% of Fortune 500 companies use IBM Z mainframes, 90% of credit card transactions globally are processed through mainframes, and 92 of the top 100 banks use mainframe technology," according to Pat Toole, System Z General Manager at IBM.

Master the Mainframe is a virtual coding competition designed for students ages 13 years old and above at any experience level to learn the foundations of mainframe programming. Powered by IBM, it is one of the world's largest student competitions where participants can practice their new set of coding skills, implement it in a real-world challenge, connect with employers, earn recognized digital badges, scholarships, t-shirts, travel, and mentorship from mainframe professionals at industry events.

The program let students win amazing prizes, while developing critical skills which are in hot demand by the world’s largest and most respected companies. There is no experience required and it can help them land a career in Fortune 500 companies, and just requires a desire to expand skillset! This is the easiest way to provide students hands-on experience with this industry critical technology and earn open badges along the way which they can add to their resume and differentiate themselves among the rest.

Through three interactive levels, students will have access to a mainframe and get skilled up on the foundations of mainframe, including JCL, Ansible, Python, Unix, COBOL, and REXX, all through Visual Studio Code. Round it all out with a grand challenge where students can craft their own fully-equipped mainframe creation.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for technology students to try something different, and explore a potential career path," Julie Gauthier, Director of Technology Business Development at AngelHack said.

IBM shall feed two children in the Share the Meal program of the United Nations World Food Programme for every student finishing level one.

Get started today at bit.ly/MastertheMainframeAPAC and open doors to new opportunities with Fortune 500 companies. Contest deadline is on Sunday, January 17, 2021. Non-students are also eligible to earn digital badges.

Dec 22, 2020

Unifinity: The most sophisticated remote learning platform powered by Blockchain Technology

We are currently experiencing an unprecedented shift toward the virtualization of education. Catalyzed by the ongoing pandemic, educational institutions, teachers, students, and parents are forced to adapt to a new norm. Unfortunately, this change poses a big challenge for everyone. Many schools simply do not have the existing systems, infrastructure, expertise, time, and budget to transition towards online learning. The same can be said with parents and students who are already struggling financially.

Unifinity seeks to ease this transition by offering a fully functional and integrated “Virtual Academy” for schools, universities, training centers, and any other learning institutions. It is the first education management system powered by blockchain and smart contracts, making it one of the most advanced educational apps out in the market today. The Unifinity system is entirely web-based without the need to buy expensive software or run costly application servers, enabling schools to deploy their customized Virtual Academy within minutes.

With its minimalistic cost-saving approach, Parents and students will be happy to know that no additional equipment is required to use Unifinity’s Virtual Academy. It is 100% mobile device friendly, allowing them to use their existing smartphone to participate in the virtual classes. Virtual classrooms were carefully designed to give the students a simple yet useful user interface, minimizing the time required to learn the platform. To help defray the cost of online learning of students and provide an alternative source of funding Unifinity integrated a blockchain-enhanced performance rewards mechanism.

Ms. Veronica Andrino, the founder, and CEO at Unifinity calls this mechanism EdTech 2.0— Tokenization and Gamification of the Education System©. It is one of the many features of the platform that utilizes blockchain technology and smart contracts making them secure, irreversible, and immutable. This provides teachers a more accurate and efficient way to monitor students’ performance and subsequently reward them, keeping them interested and engaged. The smart contract automates the recording of scores and activities and distributes rewards based on the criteria set by the teacher.

Additionally, Unifinity offers blockchain-based identity verification and certificate issuance. It also offers a direct payment gateway that supports fiat and virtual currency conversions. With all these powerful features, combined with ease of use and superb after-sales support, it is strongly positioned to take the lion’s share of the remote learning market. Without a doubt, it is one of the most sophisticated online learning systems that has graced our pages for a very long time.

Dec 6, 2020

OWTO Signs Exclusive Partnership With Advance To Give Drivers Their Earnings On-Demand

OWTO drivers no longer have to wait to receive their earnings, thanks to a partnership between OWTO and Advance.

The deal comes after a successful four-month pilot with Advance, who issued on-demand earnings services to OWTO’s shuttle drivers while servicing a BPO company.

OWTO and Advance Signing Ceremony: Joel Gayod, the CEO of Owto App at the left side and and the one in the right is Addi Guevara,Co-Founder of Advance

OWTO drivers typically have to wait up to 45 days for their compensation to be released by the partner BPO, but many of them need to get paid on the day of service. This is what makes the partnership with Advance so ideal.

Each time a driver completes a trip for OWTO’s partners, their earnings will be registered in OWTO’s app and made available to withdraw anytime. This flexible payment scheme aims to help cover the drivers’ needs between paychecks, which typically come every 30th of the month.

“OWTO’s partnership with Advance is a formidable alliance that positions both companies to dominate their respective markets. We are very excited to work with Advance in creating opportunities, surpassing key targets & achieving common goals in service of a wider consumer base,” said OWTO CEO Joel Gayod. “With OWTO’s proven market resilience and Advance’s core capabilities, there is no way but up.”

On-demand earnings services will be extended to even more drivers under OWTO’s shuttle service operations as they expand their footprint to other companies. This is a huge win for the OWTO drivers who now have the flexibility to access their earnings as needed.

“These drivers are part of our front liners in today’s reality,” said Addi Guevara, Advance Co-founder. “They make it possible for others to continue making a living during these uncertain times. Through Advance’s salary on-demand service, we hope to make life a little easier for them as well.”

About OWTO

OWTO is owned and operated by iPARA Technologies and Solutions, Inc., a Philippine-based company specializing in transport innovations. It promises a fairer and safer experience for both drivers and riders.

About Advance

Advance believes that life shouldn’t revolve around payday. As the first and only on-demand wage access provider in the Philippines, they provide flexible financial services to Filipino workers through their employers and partners.

Advance aims to simplify finance to elevate lives, empowering Filipino workers to take control of their finances and establishing partner companies as advocates of worker wellbeing.

Nov 5, 2020

Of Decisions

The mind is what makes us want to hold on and let go, be considerate, and so on. There are factors like if it is physically impossible to stay apart, in pain... But, it is the mind that binds or breaks those unseen chains.

A conversation

Love is a feeling.

Me: Feelings change.

So if love is not a feeling, what is it to you?

Me: It's a decision.

You mean love isn't passion?

Me: Passion can turn into hate.

You don't feel love?

Me: I do. I mean to love is a decision.

Aha. So you feel love. What do you decide?

Me: I don't know. It's not easy to make a decision.

Choose. Tilapia or Bangus.

Me: Bangus.

Why bangus? It's got lots of small spines.

Me: I love bangus.

So you love bangus and can decide.

Me: It's just fish.

But what if tilapia was the only fish available?

Me: Then I have no choice.

So what do you decide?

Me: Not to buy fish.

Will you make a decision?

Me: No, I have to think.

A flood of memories goes through my mind. Then, decisions are made. It all takes a commitment and to accept the challenges and hardships with the choices that we make. And, when I did make a decision, the offer was only valid based on feelings. It spurred again, however, as wonderful and as perfect as was, it is the internal conflict that makes it not possible, as I see the conflict, and until that time, it does not make sense to be more serious. It is difficult to entertain an offer when there is nothing more than feelings of passion and all the glory of romance, as the internal conflict will still be there. Feelings change. Love is a decision. It can change into indifference when the heart and mind decide together. The pursuit of happiness is not in the verification that someone loves you but in loving oneself. Letting go is easy. All it takes is a decision. People go insane because they hold on. We all have memories of beautiful times that turn into painful memories which can make us miss someone. However, we cannot live with a ghost. Neither can I be bitter, downplay a person, or talk about the past with extolling what was wrong with the other one, as it is wrong to do so. The new normal has brought about several changes in our lives. In mine, the realization that it is a lot more difficult to be content with scrimping and saving for the daily fare, so I let go of more things by bartering to have more delicious food. The pandemic brings about the thoughts of how little we need in this life, hence we declutter, not only things but also our relationships by keeping social distance from the ones who cannot add joy to our lives. It spurs relationships with people that bring about more than needing us in their lives but wanting us in their lives. Even with social distancing, we have support in more ways than one. It is sad, in a way. I never want to inflict pain on anyone, but things have to be done to provide closure for the mind to accept that it is no longer going to be me. Closure for those moments that will never be. In this life, I have learned that if someone wants to be in your life, they will knock and nearly break down the door, and do everything to be with you. And, in understanding, we all have our limitations, and I have had enough. Romance fills in the blanks, but love isn't a movie scene, it is a decision.

Nov 3, 2020

NOVUHAIR Petite: Less is More

The reality of adhering to the different pandemic-related health protocols until this global health crisis is under control while slowly relaxing the expansive social restrictions to bootup the economy refers to our “new normal”.

ADP Pharma Corporation introduces to the island of Luzon the new NOVUHAIR Petite, the fit and clear-cut choice to meet the ever-changing needs and essentials in facing the challenges and the impact of the new normal.

5 Reasons Why Your Hair Might Be Falling Out

Losing up to 100 strands of hair every day is normal. If your hair starts to shed more significant than usual, or if they do not grow back as they should, it can be a source of concern. Once the cause is detected, hair fall remedy or baldness cure for hair loss treatment can be easier.

While genetic condition like male pattern baldness is the main culprit for hair loss in the Philippines, the causes widely vary genetic or hereditary hair loss, alopecia areata, male pattern hair loss, and reactive hair loss.

What are the possible reasons why your hair is excessively shedding?

Find out the 5 reasons why your hair might be falling out.

NOVUHAIR Celebrates 10.10

2020 marks the 10th successful year of NOVUHAIR in the Philippines and what a better way to celebrate this milestone by launching the NOVU VIP CLUB.

The NOVU VIP CLUB is designed to guide, inspire, and take the journey together with its members a wholistic approach in managing hair loss, especially during this global health crisis. Supported by a pool of 10 VIP Coaches, the members are given the opportunity to engage directly with the experts and at the same time enjoy the exciting monthly perks.

The Philippines’ Health, Beauty & Wellness guru Ms. Cory Quirino joins NOVUHAIR® and completes the list of high-caliber professionals from different fields of expertise tagged “VIP Coaches”: Fanny Serrano (Salon & Beauty VIP Coach), Hon. Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (Leadership VIP Coach), Jim Saret (Fitness VIP Coach), Toni Saret (Fitness & Nutrition VIP Coach), Dr. Cecile Catapang (Aesthetic & Rejuvenation VIP Coach), Dr. Risa Caldoza-De Leon (Dermatology & Beauty VIP Coach), Dr. Harris Acero (Wellness & Nutrition VIP Coach), Alopecia Warrior Abby Asistio (Inspirational VIP Coach), Master Hans Cua (Feng Shui VIP Coach) and finally, the addition of Ms. Cory Quirino (Health, Beauty & Wellness VIP Coach).

Discover how to become an exclusive member and enjoy the monthly perks.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/2HFGNTM

Oct 31, 2020

FREE Extra NOVUHAIR Herbal Shampoo Exclusive at Watsons

Along with the ongoing threat of this pandemic health crisis comes, one has to adapt to the new normal that affects everything and everyone. Despite the urgency of reopening businesses for economic reasons, the majority of the Filipinos are still forced to stay at home with uncertainty.

Apparently, these endless quarantines have taken emotional and mental tolls in the household affecting Filipino women, most of whom work from home and work at home. They have to take care of the entire family and household while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

For some women, such trying times are something to lose their hair over, literally. Not many know this, but stress can actually cause hair loss. Mental health issues like anxiety and depression can also contribute to hair loss. Discover some of the 5 reasons why your hair might be falling out. Read more: https://bit.ly/35xfuDA

Understanding the root cause of hair loss can greatly help you choose a safe and effective anti-hair loss product. If you want to experience nature’s answer to hair loss, avail of the NOVUHAIR® 3-in-1 promo pack exclusively available at participating Watsons stores. Checkout the list below:

Watsons Ali Mall

Watsons Ayala Fairview Terraces

Watsons Cubao

Watsons Eastwood 1800

Watsons Festival Mall

Watsons SM City Fairview

Watsons Greenbelt

Watsons Las Pinas Supercenter

Watsons SM City Manila

Watsons Market! Market!

Watsons SM Megamall

Watsons SM Mall of Asia

Watsons SM City North Edsa Main

Watsons SM City North Edsa Annex

Watsons SM City Novaliches

Watsons Podium

Watsons Robinsons Galleria

Watsons SM City San Lazaro

Watsons SM Aura Premiere

Watsons SVI Aura Premiere

Watsons SM City East Ortigas

Watsons SM Southmall

Watsons The Medical City

Watsons Tutuban

Watsons UP Town Center Phase 2

Watsons Virra Mall Greenhills

Watsons Vista Mall Taguig

Watsons SM City Bacoor

Watsons SM City Dasmarinas

Watsons Waltermart Dasmarinas

Watsons SM City Trece Martires

Watsons SM City San Fernando Pampanga

Watsons SM City San Mateo

The NOVUHAIR® 3-in-1 promo pack contains one 200mL bottle each of the Topical Scalp Lotion, Herbal Shampoo, Herbal Condition plus another 200mL Herbal Shampoo worth ₱1,100 for FREE!

Choose natural. You’ve got nothing to lose.

DOH-FDA-CCRR Permit No. 0632 s. 2020

Promo duration: August 25, 2020 to February 24, 2021

Oct 26, 2020

Acculab MNL Swab Testing Center Now Open in Manila!

It's good to know that there are new swab testing centers that opened, to accommodate as many. With Acculab MNL, we can now have our test taken for an affordable price and for faster results accurately.

The global COVID 19 pandemic continues its onslaught worldwide as infections have spread rapidly over the vast population, leaving a trail of devastation in both social and commercial fronts.

Due to the increase in COVID cases in the Philippines, the lack of medical and testing capacity, and as the period of uncertainty lingers while we wait for the development of a working vaccine, AccuLab MNL, a privately-owned swabbing facility for personal and occupational COVID-19 testing and certification officially opened last Thursday.

Hon. Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso graced the Grand Launch and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony last Oct 22, 2020. In support of the Manila government’s action plan dubbed as CODE-COVID-19 (Contain and Delay), 200 Antigen Rapid Testing Kits were donated to the Hon. Mayor that same day. Mayor Isko, who’s celebrating his birthday personally received the gift vouchers.

AccuLab MNL is a team of professional and highly-trained swabbers consisting of medical technologists and nurses operating at the highest standards and is committed to providing efficient and accurate testing with fast and reliable turnaround times.

AccuLab MNL’s swab test ranges from 4500 to 11500 depending on the turnaround time for results. AccuLab MNL’s also offers Antigen Rapid Testing at a very low price of P1,400. We accept walk-in, drive-through and remote collection.

AccuLab MNL mainly offers the gold standard in coronavirus testing, the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This is a highly technical process that not only involves having the right machine and kits, but also the proper safety infrastructure, like a biosafety level 2 (BSL2) laboratory. That is why, AccuLab MNL partnered with PHILIPPINE AIRPORT DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY, a duly licensed and DOH-accredited molecular diagnostic testing facilities, also considered as one of the early responders to the government’s call for unity in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

At AccuLab MNL, we are committed to delivering your COVID-19 test report and certification with Accuracy, Consistency, and Efficiency. We at AccuLab MNL, we ACE in the trace.

For more details, Contact Anne Chico-Vicente and/or visit their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/acculabmnl/

580 P. Ocampo St. 1004 Malate, Philippines

0995 654 2223

Oct 25, 2020

Of Expectations

At times, some people expect too much from me. Perhaps I should wear a wrist brace so it would be recalled that I have carpal tunnel syndrome. Maybe I should get a person with disability card that says hearing impaired and ortho problem. Maybe I should broadcast all my woes and make an unli list of what is wrong with me. Then, after the toxic, I think...

Though it is unfair to compare how we are treated and the time that we get, as people have their priorities and limitations, I think of those who don't have excuses. They know who they are. However, certain instances make me feel trapped, making me want to say.. what more do you want or I like dancing on eggshells or ah internal conflict or I am a life hack. It is good to deal with people that you feel relaxed. 

Perhaps, I will always wear my wrist brace and get my PWD card and put a sign on my hat that I haven't overcome all the challenges that have come my way like everyone else who also has failures. I can berate and say that I am holding on to what was assigned to me, but it doesn't matter when some people do not value what I am fighting for. what I tried doing, what I did, and so on and so on. 

So yes, I am just at that point. It's neither here nor there, not this or that, and I won't complain as nothing will be achieved anyway. 

Now that's vented. Closure. Inability to edit the past. Analysis. Then that realization that bitterness has no space in my life, and I won't dwell, but we all hurt and hopefully, heal, and learn how not to expect and not settle for low expectation relationships, and appreciate what it was for what it was, and know that failed expectations can go both ways and there are things that aren't possible to just ignore. 

Oct 21, 2020

Ride-sharing App OTWO: Download the App to Book a Ride

During these pandemic times, we are struggling with commuting as we want commuting journey to be safe, comfortable, and fairly priced. We want it safe so that we cannot endanger the lives of our loved ones and also our own lives. We want it to be comfortable so that we still have the energy to do our work and also to bond with our loved ones. We want it fairly priced as we are struggling in balancing our budget as life is becoming more difficult in this time of crisis.

With this in mind, OWTO has made these three things that we want to experience in commuting possible. They are a new TNC or a RIDE SHARING Company which is made by Filipinos for Filipinos. As they are made by Filipinos, they know the struggles that we face especially in commuting. They have also made their rates lower than their competitors.

OwtoPhl page is a platform wherein drivers/partners sent in their concerns and inquiries wishing for a swift response that will help sustain their livelihood in this time of Pandemic. It is a venue wherein they give jobs through announcements and that is also widely used for customer service to the riders.

You can download OWTO from Google Play and Apple App Store.

Visit the OTWO website for more details

About OWTO

OWTO - Fair. Safe. Filipino. Fairer Fare. The ride-sharing community, riders, and partners alike are constantly at the mercy of the major players’ whims when it comes to fares and incentives. But not with OWTO. As it is committed to giving its riders reasonable value-for-money fares, it also empowers the driving partners with equitable take-home pays through the company’s lower commission take-out schemes. Life is fair with OWTO, you know Safer Rides. Let’s admit it. Who wouldn’t want a safer ride during the middle of the night, in a dark street of who-knows-where? Relax. OWTO got your back. We have a never-before-seen-in-TNVS-industry security system that will not only enable protection for both the drivers and riders but will also allow an accurate investigation facility for the complaint system. Who would not want that? Exactly. Filipino-owned. We are a 100% Philippine company. We are committed to being compliant with all the rules and regulations set forth by the government in pursuit for the greater good of the public. The system is developed by a team of, of course, world-class Filipino programmers. Being local means it is more sensitive to the needs of both the partners and the riding public. After all, only a Filipino can understand a Filipino.

They need our help in sending an appeal to Facebook about the restoration of their Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/owtophl/

NOVUHAIR Petite Conversations with Cory Quirino

Love yourself just a little bit better. Be more aware. Be more diligent in choosing products that you will embrace as part of your health and beauty care. That’s the first step. But how?

NOVUHAIR®, nature’s answer to hair loss, partners with the country’s Health, Beauty & Wellness Icon Ms. Cory Quirino in spreading the brand’s advocacy campaign and reaching out to more Filipinos around the world in celebration of its 10th successful year in the market.

Look good, feel good! https://youtu.be/iZCOLcB9wBM

“With little acts of loving-kindness towards the self, you can achieve the perfect 10,” she emphasizes. “In order to look good, you have to feel good. And in order to feel good, you’ve got to look good. Start with self-love. Begin with self-care. Start with your hair.”

“There are hair treatment products in the market today that claim to be effective but their ingredients could contain chemicals that may prove harmful with long-term use,” she enthuses. “Choose natural. You deserve more. Go for the PERFECT 10!” she emphasizes.

Oct 17, 2020

NOVUHAIR & Master Hanz: Attuned with Nature's Energy

Cliché as it may sound, life has to go on but be it not forgotten that we can’t continue ignoring our body’s natural rhythm. Our individual uniqueness has equipped us with varied energy set up. While others may need more sleep than the normal, some are designed with more sensitivity to asymmetries in daily routine. Ignoring our bodily-sent warning signals to slow down may cause health problems later on.

Fortunately, the prowess of the universe works in different mysterious ways and more often than not, destiny is one of the words that the brain can essentially define. NOVUHAIR®, 2019 leading natural hair loss treatment (Euromonitor Passport Data October 2019), partnered with one of the country’s top Feng Shui Experts Master Hanz Cua.

Backed up by 15 years of practice, Master Hanz is the 9th expert to join the brand’s roster of VIP Coaches this year, working closely with the NOVUHAIR® Team in spreading the brand’s advocacy campaign in celebration of its 10th successful year in the market.

Dubbed as NOVUHAIR’s Feng Shui VIP Coach, Master Hanz supported the launch of its “10.10 NOVUHAIR® LUCKY DEALS” at Lazada which runs from October 10-18, 2020. Avail up to 20% discount on NOVUHAIR® products.

Sep 26, 2020

Why Igorots in Metro Manila directly source goods from farmers

Two pesos a kilo for cabbage. Four pesos for cucumber. After spending money to bring their produce to the nearest vegetable trading post in the last week of July, Cordilleran farmers were given a cruel rate, crushing their hope of raising cash to buy seeds for the next harvest.

A Sad Story for New-Gen Farmers

Shereen Umayat and Jessica Dapliyan, two young farmers from Sagada, had a cheaper option for their next maturing vegetables- let the plants rot in the farmland to stop having additional expenses.

Asked how much she has spent for her cucumber, Umayat computed it to be at least P40, 000.

While there are active programs like Sustainable Sagada and Rural Rising organized to help ease the situation, not all produce in the remote Mountain Province town can be accommodated.

Dapliyan, a former innkeeper who shifted to farming following travel bans, started giving away her cabbage produce for free in September after unsuccessful attempts to sell what her family has been working since community quarantine restrictions were implemented.

Trying the Metro Manila Market

For generations, farmers in Sagada and other towns of the Cordilleras have been trading in marketplaces within the mountainous region and going to the lowlands is not part of their regular routine. But as they run out of options, they are forced to seek help outside the highlands.

Tapping Metro Manila-based Cordillerans or Igorots was the first move. Upon learning about the crisis, Christian Aligo, a Marketing Communications practitioner living in Quezon City, started the “The Sagada Harvests Project” on Facebook.

With the assistance from Umayat, Menchie Buking of the Department of Agrarian Reform Mt. Province (DAR MP) and other concerned locals, The Sagada Harvests Project is able to sell out about three tons of produce in its first two runs.

Alongside Aligo are other Metro Manila-based Igorots including Luisa Gay Pugong, Jenny Lyn Likigan, Bing Podes Laguipen, and Hector Ngales who transformed themselves into vendors after their day job to help address the crisis.

Joining the force is the couple Atty. Pio and Noemie Jeanet Daoas who now spend their weekends on vegetables. With the help of dedicated riders, the couple deliver the goods within Taguig City at only P20.

A Trade Friendlier to Farmers

As agreed, it is the farmers who set the price of their produce. Currently in marketplaces, it is the multi-level middle-men who dictate the price and get a bigger portion of it.

When the rate at the La Trinidad trading post for cabbage was P2 per kilo, The Sagada Harvests Project purchased the vegetable at P20 per kilo-- as dictated by the farmers.

To further assist the Igorot vendors, DAR’s Sagada Linksfarmers Consolidation Center opened its doors to help screen quality produce prior to shipping.

Recently, the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) also offered transportation assistance to help lower expenses.

Meanwhile, local food producers Gabay Wines and Food Preserves and Masferre Country Inn & Restaurant have been doing experiments for delicate items like wild blueberry, wheat bread, and goat cheese products to check on the shelf-life of the products when offered in places with a warmer climate.

To know more about The Sagada Harvest Project and a list of Igorot vendors who directly source their goods from farmers, contact Aligo at 0956-174-8464 (Globe) or visit www.facebook.com/sagadaharvests now.