by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 11, 2020 | Events
MANILA, Philippines. On October 2-4, The United States space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) invites coders, entrepreneurs, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, artists, and technologists to come together in a global, virtual hackathon. During a period of 48 hours, participants from around the world will come together to create virtual teams and solve challenges using NASA’s open-source data.
Designed for those interested in space science and exploration, this hackathon allows the next generation of scientists, technologists, designers, and engineers to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills through inspired collaboration and critical thinking.
As part of Space Apps, everyone belongs to a global hackathon community that embraces collaboration across borders, sectors, and cultures to bring about paradigm-shifting innovation.

take action from home
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the interest of the global community’s health and safety, this year’s hackathon will be an all-virtual event. In other words, all events shall be moved online.
In this unprecedented time, the Space Apps community exists as a reminder that everyone has the tools and talents to tackle the challenges facing the planet, as well as the ability to unite across boundaries and borders of all kinds.
The theme for this year — “Take Action” — is a critical reminder that anyone can make a difference, even from the comfort and safety of home.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) of France, and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will be partnering again with NASA for this hackathon.
Since Space Apps is brought to the Philippines by developer and technology community leader Tzar C. Umang from Pangasinan last 2016, the country witnessed how the community grew from a group of volunteers to forging partnerships with collaborators and stakeholders.
The Philippines produced global winners like the dengue hotspot predictor Project AEDES and information portal G.I.D.E.O.N. measuring COVID-19 impact, both developed by CirroLytix. The country also has global finalists like Celestial Snails from De La Salle University addressing social isolation and Sentinellium, an epidemic predictor using population density data, both addressing problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Space Apps Throughout the Years in the Philippines
While recognition and honor were given to the Philippines by NASA and partner agencies, lead organizer Michael Lance M. Domagas hopes that the country would soon realize the importance and value of giving support and assistance in the development of these winning projects, so that fellow Filipinos would benefit from these technologies coming from outer space in times of emergencies like COVID-19 and dengue epidemic.

Michael Lance Domagas
“Space Apps is a perfect venue that can arouse curiosity and interest of Filipinos to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including space and Earth sciences. Our own country’s support should have been a way to inspire more Filipinos and further develop winning projects,” he said. Space Apps can be a program in developing “space education and promote public awareness” stated in Section 8 of the Republic Act 11363 otherwise known as the “Philippine Space Act.”
“The Global Organizing Team is inspired by the journey the Philippines has with the Space Apps program. In particular, we appreciate the development of STEM in the Philippines and elsewhere, because one goal of Space Apps is to foster interest and learning in these fields worldwide,” according to Matt Scott, the Global Community Director and Storyteller.

Register now on these sites:
Space Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, SecondMuse, and the NASA Open Innovation Applied Sciences Program.
About Space Apps
Now in its 9th year, Space Apps is an international hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, technologists, and others around the world, where teams engage with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space.
Space Apps 2019 included over 29,000 participants in 71 countries. In May 2020, the virtual-only Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge concluded with over 15,000 participants from 150 countries. Space Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, SecondMuse, and the NASA Open Innovation Applied Sciences Program.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 10, 2020 | Business
AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurers and the official insurance partner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the Philippines, helps you reassess your financial game plan as it presents the “Bounce Back” promo from July 25 to September 20, 2020.
It’s a special promotion where Filipinos can get a chance to win prizes simply by undergoing a quick financial needs analysis session with an AXA financial expert.
Here’s how to join:
Simply fill out the AXA appointment booking form by clicking this link, https://bit.ly/2E0kkz4, which is also posted on AXA’s official social media accounts. After filling out the form, participants must answer the call of the AXA financial expert for a brief financial game plan session on the date and time they indicated in the appointment booking form.
On or before September 30, 2020, participants who were able to talk to an AXA financial expert will receive the following from AXA through their registered e-mail: a Personal Accident Insurance Plan worth P50,000 valid for one year and one-time free access to MyPocketDoctor, a mobile app that connects you with a medical professional for check-ups through your phone from the safety and comfort of your home. Both offerings will help participants stay healthy and protected as they use their game plan in the new normal with helpful advice from the AXA financial expert.
Lucky promo participants will also receive their prizes with instructions on how to use or activate them via e-mail or SMS. Promo participants must be 18 years old and above and can only join once.
For more information and updates, visit www.axa.com.ph, or follow @axa.philippines on Facebook.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 5, 2020 | Discounts, Sales, and Giveaways

chicken inasal promo
There’s something about Chicken Inasal that is so simple yet so comforting and satisfying. If you happen to be craving for this classic Filipino favorite, you’re in luck as Isla Sugbu Seafood City is offering 50% off its Chicken Inasal.
Isla Sugbu Seafood City might be known for its delicious seafood offerings but there’s still more to discover. For only Php 138, you get to enjoy two pieces of Isla Sugbu Seafood City’s Chicken Inasal which are prepared with a special marinade that makes it distinctively tasty and satisfying. Not your typical chicken barbeque, this must-try dish is grilled to perfection to achieve its deliciously smoky, savory, and tangy flavors.
Customers can avail of this offer for dine-in and take-out at Isla Sugbu Seafood City branches at 2/F Venice Grand Canal Mall, Taguig City, and Grand Convention Center, Cebu City. Health protocols are in place to ensure the safety of diners. It’s also available for pick-up and delivery via www.centraldelivery.ph.
This special discount will be available until stocks last, so be sure to grab this authentic Filipino barbeque at a more affordable price while you can.
For more updates, make sure to follow @islasugbuseafoodcity on Facebook and Instagram.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 4, 2020 | Health and Wellness
BER- months na, mga mommies! At alam natin na ito rin ang panahon kung kailan usong-uso ang sakit katulad na lamang ng ubo sa ating mga kids. Nakaka-stress hindi ba? Lalong-lalo na ngayon, nakakapraning kapag makarinig lang tayo ng simpleng pag-ubo.
Kaya naman para sa ating mga #MommyFrontliners, let us all join the Facebook live, HEROES AT HOME: Tips for Mommy Frontliners Facing Cough in Children on September 5, 2020, Saturday at 7:00 PM kasama ang pediatric expert, Dr. Royce at celebrity mom and host, Dimples Romana! Sabay-sabay nating alamin how to manage cough in our children at kung paano maging #MommyFrontliner kahit nasa bahay tayo.
To know more about Heroes at Home Live, like and follow Pambatang Solmux Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PambatangSolmux
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 30, 2020 | Business
Adapting to the needs of its customers in the changing business environment, the Jollibee Group opened its first cloud kitchen in Singapore today, August 10, 2020, for its Jollibee brand.
Cloud kitchens are unmarked food production and delivery hubs without any dine-in facility at discreet and lower rent urban locations. The opening of Jollibee Singapore’s inaugural cloud kitchen comes as demand for its food delivery continues to grow significantly. The business contribution of Jollibee Singapore’s Delivery has more than quadrupled compared to last year – from 10% in 2019 to 45% in 2020.

Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee CEO
“As cloud kitchens roll out, we will be able to reach more consumers and fulfill more orders. The Jollibee Group is able to expand more quickly and cost-efficiently through this innovative store model while maintaining the same safety and quality standards of our food,” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, Chief Executive Officer of the Jollibee Group.
The cloud kitchen in Singapore is the third cloud kitchen to open in the Jollibee Group, with more slated to open soon. Cloud kitchens are part of the Jollibee Group’s overall transformation strategy to adapt to new customer habits and meet the continued strong demand for delivery amid the pandemic.
Jollibee Group opened its very first cloud kitchen in the UAE last March, which continues to outperform targets. In the US, its recently opened cloud kitchen in Chicago’s bustling River North neighborhood was also well-received. Tampines is a residential area in the region of Tanah Merah located in the East Region of Singapore. The Jollibee cloud kitchen in Singapore is open from 10 am to 8 pm.
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