by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 10, 2021 | Art and Science
BPI Foundation, the social development arm of BPI, in partnership with the Ayala Museum, launched its first-ever virtual exhibit titled BPI: Banking on the Arts as part of the Bank’s 170th-anniversary celebration this August.
“This museum-like virtual reality experience aims to create better arts awareness and appreciation, reinvent the way people see local art, and more importantly – help boost the Philippine art scene,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo. “With the recent surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases and the reimposition of stricter lockdowns, allow us to bring this unique museum experience to you all, while you remain in the safety and comfort of your homes.”
With the help of Ayala Museum’s Curatorial Team led by Senior Curator and Head of Conservation Kenneth Esguerra, BPI: Banking on the Arts was conceptualized to depict BPI as a banking institution through six key virtues: celebration, tradition, relevance, resiliency, creativity & innovation, and growth. It features over 50 pieces from the BPI Art Collection including works of Juan Luna, Justiniano Asuncion, Oscar Zalameda, Justin Nuyda, and Arturo Luz, among others.
“As we aspire to be at the forefront in championing Philippine art, rest assured that we at BPI group will continue to push for more meaningful activities like this to promote our cultural wealth and history as we continue our journey to banking excellence anchored on trust and the best digital offers,” said BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco.
NCCA Chairman Arsenio Lizaso shows his support for the virtual exhibit.
Recognizing the vulnerability of our cultural sphere amid these challenging times, National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Arsenio Lizaso said, “This virtual exhibit is an excellent opportunity to showcase our cultural heritage to the world. May these works of art and the access they provide to our cultural heritage continue to be a unifying force for the society as we move towards a stronger and more resilient future.”
The virtual exhibit is part of Yugto ng Sining, or the Stages of Art program, which aims to preserve Filipino culture and heritage through awareness and appreciation of the arts. Under the program, BPI Foundation also organized an art-making contest for BPI employees to recognize and amplify their artistic abilities and launched #KulturaSerye, a social media campaign that features the life and works of various Filipino visual artists in the BPI Art Collection.
BPI: Banking on the Arts is available for public viewing online until September 24, 2021, via: www.bpifoundation.org/page/banking-on-the-arts.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 8, 2021 | Business
77 Living Spaces, Inc. (77LSI), the local housing developer in the Visayas specializing in residential spaces, is all set for the construction of its mass-housing project for 902 Cebu government employees, amid the pandemic.
The housing project, which will be erected in the remaining 7.3-hectare property owned by Cebu provincial government in Barangay Tunghaan, Minglanilla town, is an initiative of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Cebu Provincial Government.
Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and DHSUD Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Tunghaan Subdivision Project. Minglanilla Mayor Elanito Peña who also graced the ceremony, expressed gratitude to the national government, particularly DHSUD, for the implementation of the project that will benefit civil servants from the Cebu Provincial government and Minglanilla LGU.
DHSUD Sec. Eduardo Del Rosario, Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, Mayor Elanito Peña (6th, 7th and 8th from left) with (L-R) Hon. Jenny Young, Hon. Jaime Caumeran, 77LSI COO Engr. Gionmaar Navaja, Hon. Atty. Rajiv Enad, Hon. Raul Bacaltos, Hon. Yolanda Daan, DHSUD Asec. Leira Buan, DHSUD Reg. Director Engr. Francis Ordeniza, and 77LSI AGM Jan Phillips Galo.
Joining them is 77 Living Spaces Chief Operating Officer Gionmaar Navaja. “We are grateful for this opportunity to work with the government and LGUs to strengthen the national housing program in the region and to promote resilient Filipino communities across the country,” Navaja said. “This is our way of giving back to the community as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility program.”
The mass housing project is an initiative to push the government’s whole-of-nation approach to give Cebu government employees who have served the government all their lives, the opportunity to enjoy the comforts of having a decent home that is both affordable and sustainable.
The P111-million project is the company’s first socialized housing endeavor in Cebu under the Balance Housing Actwhich requires owners and/or developers of the proposed subdivision and condominium projects to develop an area for socialized housing, at the option of the developer, equivalent to at least 15 percent of the total subdivision area or subdivision project cost. Most of the company’s socialized housing projects are located in Negros – some of which are low-cost housing like the Aldea Homes 1, Aldea Homes 2, Aldea Homes 3&4, and Marina Del Costa located in Sibulan Negros Oriental.
The company is the developer behind the three Aldea Premier developments: the Malibu Residences in Talisay City; Bali Residences which is located in Lapu-Lapu City; and Florence Residences in the Cubacub-Mandaue area. 77 Living Spaces Inc. was also dubbed as a top-performing developer for the Visayas by PAG-IBIG Fund in 2020.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 7, 2021 | Advocacy
Jollibee Group Chairman and Founder, Tony Tan Caktiong, decided to pursue a bold and valuable idea back in 2008. He thought: what if the company were to buy directly from farmers so they can have a regular and stable market to sell to? This comes from a recognition that even if agriculture is one of the country’s key sectors, farmers remain to be among the country’s most vulnerable, and their lack of opportunities and resources prevents them from earning a higher income.
Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the company’s social development arm, then took on the challenge of translating the idea into the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), which would eventually link small-scale farmers to their supply chain.
Today, the white onions, green bell peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables that the company uses in Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal come directly from small-scale farmers across the Philippines. JGF gives us a peek into how over 500 farmers from 17 farmer groups have Grown with Joy and earned their place in big markets in the video essay that the Foundation recently released.
Enabling Growth
Products grown with Joy. Jollibee Group Foundation’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program enables farmers to become entrepreneurs who supply big buyers such as the Jollibee Group.
At the heart of FEP is a stack of interventions that help farmers sharpen their technical skills and business acumen. JGF starts by partnering with organizations across the country to help farmers form clusters, so they can collectively meet the volume and quality requirements of big buyers and market their produce.
In 2018, JGF developed a training program to train Agro-entrepreneurship Facilitators who guide farmer groups towards becoming farmer entrepreneurs. This year, JGF brought this training program online in partnership with Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan entitled “Agro-Entrepreneurship for Inclusive Value Chains: An Introduction.”
As a group, FEP farmers can scale their operations, successfully maintain their status as Jollibee Group suppliers and find other markets. Growing and scaling means that farmer groups need to comply with standards such as the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) promoted by the Department of Agriculture.
A requirement of the Jollibee Group among its agriculture-based suppliers, PhilGAP guides farmers in addressing different aspects of on-farm production and post-production processes that result in safe and quality agricultural products.
Since 2009, FEP farmers have consolidated and delivered more than 7,000 metric tons or 700 truckloads of vegetables to the Jollibee Group, earning more than P300 million in total sales. Furthermore, 94% of FEP farmer groups are already GAP-certified as the others continue to work towards this milestone.
Sharing the joy
Gisela Tiongson
“It brings us real joy that We have helped hundreds of farmers embark on a journey to rediscover and even totally embrace farming. FEP has emboldened them to dream bigger and has given them the tools necessary to turn them into reality,’’ says Gisela Tiongson, JGF Executive Director.
Ligaya Miras, a farmer leader of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Cebu City reflects on her journey. “Being an FEP farmer means I am not just a farmer, but also an entrepreneur.’’ She adds, “Farming is not just a source of livelihood. For me, it is a mission. If there are no farmers, who will feed people? I am proud to be a farmer.’’
Farmers who are part of the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program help the Jollibee Group spread the joy of eating by supplying the ingredients for some of the favorite products from Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal.
From the white onions used in the Jollibee Yumburger, to the spring onions sprinkled on the Chowking Chao Fan, and the green bell peppers we enjoy in the Greenwich Hawaiian Overload Pizza—FEP farmers truly help spread the joy of eating among countless Filipinos every day.
To learn more about the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program and to watch the video essay inspired by the growth of FEP farmers, visit the Jollibee Group Foundation official Facebook Page at fb.com/JollibeeGroupFoundationInc.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 3, 2021 | Health and Wellness
Toshiba Low Sugar Multi-Cooker
Is rice your favorite food? You are not alone. It’s our staple food as Filipinos. But did you know that a frighteningly large portion of the calories and sugar that we eat comes from rice? Yikes!
However, making major changes to your diet can sometimes seem very overwhelming. But don’t worry, instead of making big changes, you can start by doing the simplest thing. Simply invest in this appliance that actually lowers the sugar in your rice: Toshiba, the world’s leading manufacturer of artisanal home and lifestyle solutions makes cooking healthier rice possible by its Low Sugar Multi-Cooker (SRP: P13,195.00).
“This is a great example of how technology can be utilized to make people’s lives not just more convenient but to also improve their health,” says Annalyn Devilles, Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines’ Small Domestic Appliances Product Manager. “Our Low Sugar Multicooker is proof of our commitment to creating innovations that are truly relevant to the needs of our customers. This product was developed to create an impact in improving nutrition and, in the long term, the quality of life of our customers.”
The Toshiba 1.0L Low Sugar Multi-Cooker is an innovative appliance that has a ‘Healthy Rice Function.’ This is certified to effectively reduce sugar in rice by up to 35%. This cooker’s optimal simmering process with a 58% increase in Healthy Digestive Resistant Starch, your rice is cooked at the right temperature enough to break down and drain its starch content.
Whether you want to cook congee, quick-cook rice, white rice, brown rice, Gaba rice, sticky rice, or mixed rice, this multi-cooker has got you covered. It allows you to have tasty and healthy meals and lets you enjoy a wide variety and healthy cooking options that are perfect for you and your family.
Its 24-hour preset timer function automatically cooks your rice in case you’d get your hands busy preparing other meals. You can also choose the “Keep Warm” 3D Heating Induction Technology Function, so your rice is always warm when you serve it. On top of its multiple functions, this Low Sugar Multi-Cooker is also made with Japanese Binchotan non-stick charcoal coated pot so you can be sure of the highest standards of quality and durability that go into each perfectly cooked pot of rice.
“We continue on our commitment of being a premier consumer electronics company which manufactures and sells innovative and technologically-advanced products as it endeavors to improve the quality of life within the global community,” Annalyn Devilles, Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines’ Small Domestic Appliances Product Manager.
Healthy eating can help you prevent, control, and even reverse health complications such as diabetes. While you really do need to pay attention to some of your food choices, you can still enjoy your favorite treats and meal as long as you plan properly, and limit hidden sugar. The secret key is moderation and using the appropriate and helpful tools or methods to keep your balanced diet on track and off the pitfall.
About Toshiba
Toshiba is the world’s leading manufacturer of artisanal home appliance solutions that cater to the lifestyle needs of today’s discerning customers. Boasting superior Japanese quality with uncompromising attention to detail, Toshiba’s diverse portfolio of products includes innovative solutions for kitchen, laundry, fresh storage, small appliances, and air care. To know more about Toshiba’s world-class home appliance solutions or avail of exclusive promos, visit www.toshibaph.com. You can also check out our official store on Shopee (www.shopee.ph/toshibaphilippines).
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 19, 2021 | Food & Beverage
In the world of non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, root beer holds a special place in our hearts. This bubbly, sweet bliss is reminiscent of our summer days, especially when it is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, turning it into that nostalgic sweet treat – the root beer float.
The man who gifted us with this creation is the late Frank. J. Wisner, owner of Colorado’s Cripple Creek Brewing. It is believed that Wisner came up with the idea while mountain gazing but missing the snow-covered peaks. He then thought of making his own icy mountain top with a mug of root beer as the mountain and scoops of vanilla ice cream as snow caps. He initially called this the “Black Cow Mountain.”
Every year in August, we celebrate this dessert masterpiece with the National Root Beer Float Day. In the U.S., this is often celebrated with festivals and competitions. In the Philippines, even amid a pandemic and quarantine restrictions, we can celebrate this day at home by making different versions of this foamy and fizzy drink.
The staple, of course, is root beer. One of the brands available in the local market is Mug Root Beer, a product of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) —the country’s exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages.
Get creative
Other than the classic root beer and vanilla ice cream float recipe, the food website, Sugar and Soul, shared other creative ways to make it.
“The Chocoholic”
- Prepare a syrup-rimmed glass rolled in sprinkles
- Pour root beer
- Add scoops of ice cream but swap vanilla for chocolate ice cream
- Top with whipped cream and drizzle with chocolate syrup
“The Very Vanilla”
- Highlight the vanilla flavor by adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the root beer
- Finish it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream—and now you’re in vanilla, milky heaven
“The Slushie”
- Simply combine vanilla ice cream, root beer, and ice in a blender
- Blend until it reaches smoothie texture
- Top with whipped cream and cherries
These root beer float recipes will definitely be fun to create while we are on home quarantine.
“Everything about Mug root beer appeals to the senses: the rich foam, the unique aroma, and the feeling of ice-cold refreshment. It’s the perfect drink for the whole family,” said Frederick D. Ong, PCPPI president, and chief executive officer.
So now, we raise our mugs and toast to the bubbliest, fizziest, milky drink … the Root Beer Float!
Mug Root Beer is available in 300ml cans, 1.5L PET, and 2L PET in supermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores. PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of well-known beverage brands in the Philippines: Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, Premier, Milkis, and Aquafina.
About Pepsi Philippines
Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages & snacks in the Philippines, with a relationship spanning 70 years. PCPPI is a listed company in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE: PIP) with Lotte Corporation, a holding company of Lotte Chilsung Beverage, one of the biggest beverage companies in South Korea as the lead shareholder co-managing with PepsiCo.
PCPPI manufactures and sells well-known food and beverage brands: Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, Premier, Sips, Milkis, Let’s Be, and Aquafina. It has established 14 manufacturing facilities across the country, serving more than 700,000 outlets and providing employment through its extensive distribution network.
PCPPI is committed to creating a positive impact on society with programs focused on environmental sustainability, nutrition, education, and livelihood. For more information, visit www.pepsiphilippines.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 13, 2021 | Food & Beverage
At a time when we are mostly apart, the bonds among family members and loved ones are more important than ever. And we can show them we care with thoughtful gifts when our presence just can’t be assured.
The coming Mooncake Festival on September 21 marks the end of the autumn harvest and it is traditionally a time to give thanks to the gods. As we adopt certain aspects of the Chinese culture, it has become symbolic and synonymous with expressing gratitude — something we can and should all do despite the challenges that have beset us since last year. Along with gratitude, the upcoming celebration also focuses on prayers and togetherness.
The Manila Hotel helps you plan for gifts for your loved ones to show them how much they mean to you. The special, hand-crafted mooncakes make the perfect gifts this season, and you can get them at a discounted rate when you order from now until August 20, 2021. The Early Bird promo gives buyers 30% off for purchases of Solo Boxes (PhP288 net) or Boxes of Four (PhP1,188 net) with no minimum order. They come in beautiful boxes that can be straight-away given out as gifts.
The hand-crafted mooncakes by the hotel’s premiere Chinese chef come in four flavors: the classic Single Yolk Ted Bean Paste, and Single Yolk Pure White Lotus Seed Paste; and the special flavors Taro Paste, and Red Dates Paste. The mooncakes can then be picked up after the promo period when the hotel is back in operations.
For more information or to pre-order, call 85270011 or 0998-9501912. The promo cannot be availed of in conjunction with other promos and government-mandated discounts like Senior Citizen and PWD discounts, among others.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 11, 2021 | Advocacy
Before the pandemic started, the Philippines was seen to have steady economic growth, becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia with an average GDP of 6.3% over the ten years until 2019.
However, the onset of the global health crisis brought the country’s economy into recession, breaking almost three decades of uninterrupted growth. Since the pandemic started, the country’s COVID-19 cases are now over 1.6 million as per the Department of Health (DOH) data.
Major metropolitan areas like Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, posted the bulk of the COVID-19 cases, and various degrees of community quarantine are implemented to control the spread of the virus.
Helping alleviate challenges
Aligned with their mission and vision of understanding and meeting the real needs of people, Orient Euro Pharma Philippines (OEPP), a company creating innovative, affordable, and high-quality pharmaceutical products for cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory infections, initiated a program to help alleviate the challenges in the country.
Through their Project #Hope or Helping Our Patients Every day, OEP recently donated the much-needed Erdosteine to key government COVID-19 medical facilities.
Erdosteine is a mucolytic indicated for the treatment of acute and chronic bronchitis. It has been the subject of numerous clinical trials, showing to be effective as an add-on treatment to Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients for as long as 12 months.
Adding Erdosteine to the usual treatment therapy of hospitalized patients with COVID-related pneumonia and severe respiratory failure helps improve their overall health-related quality of life, says a study published in Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine 2020 journal.
Orient Euro Pharma visits VMMC
As part of their corporate responsibility program, OEPP’s #HOPE aims to support around 600 post-covid patients from hospitals, such as the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, the Philippine General Hospital Section of Pulmonology, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.
Orient Euro Pharma visits PGH
“As we create more plans to help the people amid the global health crisis, we hope that this small donation initiative we did can have a huge impact on the patients’ lives. This initiative is also our way of giving back to the community and supporting the Filipino patients afflicted with this deadly disease,” said Sharon Ibay, Product Manager.
Founded in 1982, OEP is a full-scale, multinational pharmaceutical company. Their core competencies not only include pharmaceutical innovation, R&D, manufacturing, sales, and clinical trials but have significantly increased the company’s operational efficiency through vertical integration to provide customers with more complete services.
To know more about Orient Euro Pharma, check out their website at https://www.oepgroup.com/en-global.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 5, 2021 | Lifestyle
The kitchen has become the heart of the home. Therefore, consumers’ expectations for the modern kitchen are high. When it comes to the faucet: It needs to be a smart helper for daily tasks, be of high quality and aesthetically appealing and fit a limited budget. With the modernized update of the popular classic Eurosmart, GROHE, the global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, is offering a product matching every kitchen. With new design options, user-centric features, and hassle-free installation at an affordable price, GROHE Eurosmart enables installers and planners to offer a cost-efficient portfolio that fulfills customers’ needs.
GROHE Eurosmart Kitchen – a perfect match for every project
Grohe Eurosmart single lever
Whether an installer or planner is involved in a large-scale project or a private kitchen renovation, customers want to have a choice when it comes to kitchen products. With the relaunch of Eurosmart, GROHE equips installers and planners with a wide portfolio of variants and features in an entry price segment, thereby making the Eurosmart kitchen a perfect fit for budget-driven clients with high expectations of quality.
GROHE Eurosmart features U- and C-shaped low, medium, and high spouts and two finishes – a brilliant Chrome or matte Supersteel. Moreover, it is also available as a wall-mounted faucet.
Convenient performance features add another level of comfort: Pull-out and swiveling spout variants as well as different spray options provide full flexibility in the kitchen. Additionally, specific variants with sustainable features make the kitchen future-proof: Equipped with GROHE SilkMove ES, Eurosmart faucets, compared to regular faucets, help users save energy because cold water flows at the mid-level position. Furthermore, Eurosmart faucets with GROHE EcoJoy feature a mousseur that reduces the water flow without compromising on performance – perfect for saving valuable resources while cleaning the dishes.
GROHE Eurosmart offers further advantages in terms of safety and health: Thanks to its innovative zinc die casting process, Eurosmart offers customers safe water enjoyment. Not only is the surface of the faucet seamlessly closed so that impurities cannot enter, but there are also dedicated inner waterways to make sure that the water is lead- and nickel-free. There is no contact between these inner waterways and the body material. There is a barrier between hot water and the external surface, which helps prevent scalding on hot surfaces. This makes GROHE Eurosmart faucets extra safe, especially for households with children.
Easy installation thanks to GROHE Fast Fixation Plus
GROHE Fast Fixation Plus ensures hassle-free installation of the Eurosmart kitchen faucet in simple steps. The quick assembly system saves time – fitting time is cut by up to 70% – and thus enables installers to satisfy customers’ demands efficiently. For complete kitchen solutions, GROHE also provides a broad product variety of matching sinks, accessories, and waste systems – there is no easier way to provide customers with a smart kitchen update.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 4, 2021 | Lifestyle
The Summer 2021 GUESS Originals collection is returning with its newest essentials line coined the GUESS Originals Kit Program. The program continues to be refreshed seasonally with essential core fits and colors featuring premium fabrics and timeless designs for both men and women. The GUESS Originals capsule and Kit Program includes the brand division’s most contemporary denim styles and is available beginning July 16, 2021, in select GUESS retail stores and guess.com.ph.
GUESS Originals Collection
The Summer GUESS Originals Collection for both men and women takes inspiration from the California surf scene and features surf-inspired graphics from the archives. The relaxed California lifestyle inspires the pastel colors and softer washes in this delivery. The summer collection features timeless silhouettes with a fashion-forward approach.
The Men’s Collection
The men’s collection offers an array of tees, tanks, sweat shorts, slim and straight leg denim in light, dark, and black washes. Jogger pants, hoodies, and crew neck sweatshirts return in gray, black, and white tones and provide a laid-back look to your style. All denim pieces from the GUESS Originals seasonal offering also feature the iconic triangle logo on the back pocket.
The Women’s Collection
The women’s capsule incorporates a selection of tanks and crop tops in pale banana yellow and jet black. Knit sets in the form of button-ups, provide ultimate comfort to your wardrobe. A two-piece matching crop top and short set-in daisy prints are the ultimate go-to summer styles that are both lightweight and fashion-forward. The denim options are available in the form of cropped mom jeans, high rise, carpenter fit denim, and the debut of a retro-inspired wide-leg style.
GUESS Originals Kit Program
Each style featured in the GUESS Originals collection pairs back to the core styles offered in the Kit Program. Each silhouette included in the program emphasizes premium denim and heritage styles from the brand’s design archives. The Kit pants are an assortment of elevated light twill cargo pants, light chino khaki woven pants as well as light to dark stonewash denim. The Kit Program also includes chambray shirts and pocket tees for men. The women’s GO Kit Program offers a variety of ribbed tanks, bodysuits, mid-thigh shorts, as well as a light and dark stonewash denim jacket.
Pricing for the GUESS Originals collection + GUESS Originals Kit Program ranges from P1,698 to P3, 898 for tops, bottoms, dresses, hats, and denim.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 29, 2021 | Awards and Competitions
Two teams from the Philippines, GiveSight and World MAQI, are selected by the United States space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) as global finalists for the all-virtual Earth Observation Dashboard Hackathon held last June 23-29. With 4,300+ participants from 132 countries and territories, the week-long event featured 233 projects to solve challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic using data from the Earth Observing (EO) Dashboard, an interactive data resource giving policymakers and the public a unique tool to probe the impacts of pandemic-related restrictions implemented around the world through the lens of Earth observation satellites.
GiveSight
The Geo-Intelligent Visualization of Earth Systems in Graphical and Historical Timelines (GiveSIGHT) seeks to improve the current EO dashboard by highlighting significant changes of the COVID-19 pandemic through visualizations and guided insight for prospective users. The proposed dashboard is intended to visualize economic proxies through night lights, economic activities, and a lock-down timeline in the Philippines.
The team is led by Gabriel Kristopher “Cricket” Soong, an electrical engineer and emerging technologies consultant, and members include software engineer Mark Barretto and Adamson University computer engineering students Angelica Mhay Salazar, Karl Adrian de Guzman, and Joshua Bungcaras.
Mobility over Air Quality Index
The Mobility over Air Quality Index (MAQI) is derived from the fusion of mobility statistics provided by Google with air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from Earth observations. While the COVID-19 pandemic initially led to decreased mobility and improved air quality, countries around the world have begun to lift their quarantine restrictions, triggering air pollution once again. Through MAQI areas and communities with improved mobility and air quality may be identified and recognized.
The team is composed of space data researchers and hackathon veterans. Data analyst Dominic Vincent “Doc” Ligot and data engineer Mark Neil Pascual led the conceptualization and prototype development, while Michael Lance M. Domagas, a computer science master’s student, reunited with his undergraduate thesis adviser, Arturo “Art” Caronongan III, an assistant professorial lecturer from De La Salle University, to do research and concept validation for MAQI.
Pinoy pride and ingenuity
In 2020, Art Caronongan’s team placed as a global finalist in the NASA Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge for Snail Space, an app giving a “safe space” by providing mental care and comfort during times of social isolation brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2019, Doc’s team developed Advanced Early Dengue Prediction and Exploration Service (Project AEDES) which used Earth observations for data-driven dengue detection and nowcasting, bagging the global award for the best use of data in the prestigious NASA International Space Apps Challenge. Since then, the initiative has garnered more accolades: recognized in 2020 by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) for applying Earth observations towards the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and more recently last May 2021, vetted and approved by the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as a Digital Public Good (DPG), putting the Philippines on the map as a DPG pathfinding pilot country.
A team from CirroLytix Research Services, a Philippine-based startup leading the charge in using big data for social impact founded by Doc, developed Global Impact Detection from Emitted Light, Onset of COVID-19, and Nitrogen Dioxide (GIDEON), a data portal that used satellite data and news feeds to measure economic and social impacts of lockdowns and pandemic interventions. In 2020, GIDEON also won the best use of data global award in the NASA Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge.
Cricket Soong and Mark Pascual are also from CirroLytix, and in late 2020 were Space Apps global nominees for Global Hazard Exposure and Resiliency Trends by Earth observation and Analysis Tools (Global HEARTBEAT), an interactive tool providing geo-located information on natural and human hazards surrounding communities within the Philippines and Canada.
Winners of both space hackathons are invited to visit NASA and partner agencies’ facilities but are responsible for covering their own costs. Although travel has been on hold since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, invitations shall resume once travel is deemed safe.
Michael Lance, a lead local organizer of Space Apps, appeals for support in recognizing these global winners and finalists, “Having both led and participated in these hackathons, I can attest to the world-class quality of our local innovators but sadly support for these innovators has been minimal. In the same way, we Filipinos love to cheer our athletes and beauty queens who represent our country, I hope we can find value in supporting our Philippine technologists, who also bring our country pride through their innovation.”
EO dashboard hackathon winners shall be announced in early August 2021.
About EO dashboard hackathon
From June 23- 29, coders, scientists, entrepreneurs, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, artists, technologists, and space enthusiasts from around the world joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for the all-virtual, global Earth Observation Dashboard Hackathon.
During this week-long event, participants will create virtual teams and solve one of 10 challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic using data from the Earth Observing Dashboard (the “EO Dashboard” for short). The EO Dashboard is an interactive data resource that gives the public and policymakers a unique tool to probe the short-term and long-term impacts of pandemic-related restrictions implemented around the world through the lens of Earth observation satellites.
During the hackathon, participants will have the opportunity to form virtual teams, interact with experts from NASA, ESA, and JAXA in our chat channels, and submit projects. The winning teams will have the opportunity to incorporate their solutions into the EO Dashboard – making a lasting impact on its long-term legacy!
The EO Dashboard Hackathon celebrates the one-year anniversary of the EO Dashboard’s launch and builds on the success of the Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge.
About CirroLytix
CirroLytix Research Services is a social impact data analytics company. Its mission is to help governments, non-profits, researchers, international and local organizations succeed at addressing collective social problems around the world by harnessing the full power of their data. CirroLytix strives to enable social impact professionals and entities to make a positive data-driven change in the lives they seek to uplift.
About Dominic Vincent “Doc” Ligot
Dominic Vincent “Doc” Ligot is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of CirroLytix Research Services. A former bank risk manager and technology executive turned data scientist and researcher, Ligot has made it his life’s mission to push data-driven innovation for the Philippines and apply data to social development areas such as public health, human rights, education, and fighting disinformation.
A co-founder of the Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP), and co-developer and active faculty of the Master in Applied Business Analytics (MABA) program of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), Doc envisages the Philippines as a global talent pool for data science and artificial intelligence. According to him, “What we’ve always tried to do, ever since we started our work at CirroLytix, is show that social problems are data problems, and our local talent is up to the task in solving these data problems. Data science and AI are great equalizers, and the disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic is the glaring opportunity for the Philippines to flex its muscles in STEM and we should make a massive effort to push data education and literacy for all.”
Doc is also a key resource of Smarter Philippines through Analytics R&D Training and Adoption (Project SPARTA), a nationwide initiative to train 30,000 Filipinos in Data Science and Analytics funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCIEERD), and implemented by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), the Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP), and Coursebank with key partnerships in the national government and local government units.
About Michael Lance M. Domagas
Michael Lance Domagas
He is a freelance software developer, digital marketer, events host, and community leader, organizing events and activities supporting the technology and developer community in the Philippines. He is the lead organizer of NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge and a participant in the EO dashboard hackathon.
Whether you want to cook congee, quick-cook rice, white rice, brown rice, Gaba rice, sticky rice, or mixed rice, this multi-cooker has got you covered. It allows you to have tasty and healthy meals and lets you enjoy a wide variety and healthy cooking options that are perfect for you and your family.
“Everything about Mug root beer appeals to the senses: the rich foam, the unique aroma, and the feeling of ice-cold refreshment. It’s the perfect drink for the whole family,” said Frederick D. Ong, PCPPI president, and chief executive officer.
Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages & snacks in the Philippines, with a relationship spanning 70 years. PCPPI is a listed company in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE: PIP) with Lotte Corporation, a holding company of Lotte Chilsung Beverage, one of the biggest beverage companies in South Korea as the lead shareholder co-managing with PepsiCo.
Aligned with their mission and vision of understanding and meeting the real needs of people, Orient Euro Pharma Philippines (OEPP), a company creating innovative, affordable, and high-quality pharmaceutical products for cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory infections, initiated a program to help alleviate the challenges in the country.
The Summer 2021 GUESS Originals collection is returning with its newest essentials line coined the GUESS Originals Kit Program. The program continues to be refreshed seasonally with essential core fits and colors featuring premium fabrics and timeless designs for both men and women. The GUESS Originals capsule and Kit Program includes the brand division’s most contemporary denim styles and is available beginning July 16, 2021, in select GUESS retail stores and guess.com.ph.
Two teams from the Philippines, GiveSight and World MAQI, are selected by the United States space agency 
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From June 23- 29, coders, scientists, entrepreneurs, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, artists, technologists, and space enthusiasts from around the world joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for the all-virtual, global 
Dominic Vincent “Doc” Ligot is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of CirroLytix Research Services. A former bank risk manager and technology executive turned data scientist and researcher, Ligot has made it his life’s mission to push data-driven innovation for the Philippines and apply data to social development areas such as public health, human rights, education, and fighting disinformation.
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