Init ng Panahon, Init ng Eleksyon

Summer na naman! Nararamdaman mo na ba ang matinding init ng panahon? Malamang bago mo pa masagot ang tanong ko, tumatagaktak na ang pawis mo sa kinauupuan mo. Dahil panahon na naman ng tag-araw, bukod sa bakasyon at summer outing, isa pa sa dapat mong pakabangan ngayong panahon ng tag-init ay ang nalalapit na 2016 Presidential Elections. Mayroon ka na bang napipisil sa mga kumakandidato bilang pangulo? Nakapagmuni-muni ka na ba sa ngalan ng kinabukasan ng ating bayan at para na rin sa kinabukasan ng mga kabataan? Kung hindi pa, hindi ka na dapat magsayang ng panahon. Malapit na ang halalan at nasa iyong mga kamay ang unang hakbang sa pagbabago.

Mula sa mga tarpaulin ng mga kandidato na makikita mo sa halos lahat ng sulok ng paligid hanggang sa kaliwa’t-kanan na campaign jingle na maririnig mo, hindi maipagkakaila na damang-dama na ang init ng eleksyon. Handa ka na bang bumoto sa Mayo 9? Gaano mo na ba kakilala ang mga kumakandidato? May kumpleto ka na ba na listahan ng iyong mga iboboto? Narinig mo na ba kung anu-ano ang kanilang mga plataporma? Kanya-kanya na silang istilo kung paano nila mapapabango ang kanilang mga pangalan. Ang bawat isa ay nagpapakilala sa mga tao, iniikot ang buong Pilipinas, nililigawan ang mga tao, sinusuyod ang bawat lugar upang makakuha ng simpatya, pulso ng mamamayan at higit sa lahat ang iyong boto. Mistulang piyesta ang panahon ng kampanya saan mang sulok ng bansa sa dami ng taong gustong mas makilala ang bawat kandidato nang mas malapitan at personal.

Napanood mo ba ang Presidential Debate sa TV5 ilang linggo na ang nakararaan? Isa ako sa milyung-milyon na Pilipino na nanood ng nasabing debate ng mga nagnanais makamtan ang pinakamataas na puwesto sa bansa. Doon pa lang, masasabi kong hindi ako nagkamali sa pagpili kay Mar Roxas bilang aking napipisil sa pagkapangulo. Mahusay si Roxas sa kanyang mga binitiwang salita sa nasabing harapang debate. Kabisado nito ang mga istatistikong kanyang sinabi. Alam na alam niya ang likaw ng kanyang ginagalawang mundo. Hindi niya iniimbento lang ang kanyang mga sinasabi. Nagsaliksik si Roxas kaya naman may kompiyansa ito sa kanyang sarili sa gitna ng naging bakbakan nila at init sa pakikipagtalo noong naganap ang nasabing presidential debate. Hindi tulad nung ibang mga lumahok na trapo (traditional politician), hindi rin matatawaran ang naging malaking ambag  ni Roxas sa kanyang ilang taon na paglilingkod sa gobyerno bilang senador at bahagi ng cabinet ng kasalukuyang administrasyon.

                                                                                                                                                              

Sa hanay ng mga presidentiables, masasabi kong si Roxas na ang ‘best bet’,’ ika-nga nila. Edukado, may puso at konsiyensiya, mabuting tao, mula sa angkan ng mabuting pamilya at kahit pa sabihing ipinanganak ng nakaririwasa sa buhay, marunong makihalubilo sa masa si Roxas. Nakasisiguro ka rin na hindi ito magiging kurakot sapagkat mayroon siyang sariling pera at hindi siya ang tipo ng tao na masisilaw sa kaban ng bayan lalo pa’t mayroon itong magandang reputasyon. Hindi siya ang tipo na basta na lang babalewalain ang pinaghirapang magandang pangalan ng kanyang lolo na dating naging pangulo na rin ng bansa.  Kung abilidad lang at maging ang kakayahan ang paguusapan, hands-down si Roxas ang pinaka may karapatan at sapat na kaalaman sa posisyong kanyang hinahangad.

Bilib ako sa kakayahan at kasanayan ni Roxas bilang isang ekonomista at maging sa kanyang malawak na karanasan sa pagiging pulitiko. Hindi rin pupuwedeng kuwestiyunin ang kanyang pinag-aralan. Graduate siya ng prestihiyosong Wharton University sa Amerika. Naging matagumpay  si Roxas na ekonomista sa ibang bansa ngunit mas pinili nitong manatili sa Pilipinas matapos pumanaw ang kanyang kapatid na isang public servant din.

Malinis din ang record ni Roxas, hindi ito nasangkot kailanman sa anomalya. Hindi kailanman ito nagsalita ng bastos sa kanyang kapwa. May pinag-aralan kasi si Roxas at marunong itong tumanggap ng ‘constructive criticism’ at hindi ito pikon. Para sa akin, si Roxas ang aking pangulo dahil siya ang pinaka masasabi kong angkop bilang maging pangulo ng bansa sa hanay ng mga kumakandidato bilang presidente ng bansa. Sa aking palagay, napapanahon na upang maging pangulo ng Pilipinas si Mar Roxas.

Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas

Sa patuloy na pag-init ng panahon sa panahon sa tag-araw, nawa’y ating gamitin ang utak sa mahusay na pagpili kung sino ang ating iboboto. Dasal ko, sampu ng mamamayang Pilipino na sana’y maging matagumpay ang darating na eleksyon. Makapili nawa tayong lahat ng isang mahusay, tunay na may malasakit sa kapwa at mabuting ehemplo na magiging lider ng ating bansa. Gabayan nawa tayong lahat ng Panginoon sa ating pagboto.

Colgate Launches its Breakthrough Technology in Cavity Protection: The Hope for a Cavity-Free Future is Here

Introducing Colgate's latest technology to win the fight against cavities

Despite continuing education on the importance of good oral care habits to prevent tooth decay,cavities still affect nearly 100% of adults worldwide. There are 9 out of 10 Filipinos who suffer from cavities (regardless of age or socio-economic background) in our country based on a research conducted recently. 

Colgate, the world's trust brand and the leading toothpaste had introduced an innovative toothpaste that makes cavity-free future possible via its breakthrough technology New Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection plus Sugar Acid Neutralizer toothpaste. It's the first of its kind, the only sugar acids in plaque--the main culprit of cavities. 

A common misconception is that sugar is the main source of cavities. However, any kind of trapped food can be culprits, practically any kind of food because of its sugar acids. Sugar acids are created in the mouth when common oral bacteria feed on starchy food residue, causing the acid level in the mouth to rise and enabling sugar acids to attack, and in the long run weakening the teeth and causing cavities. 

A large part of food in a typical Filipino household diet contains starch in everyday food staples such as rice, fruits and veggies. With the latest breakthrough from Colgate in cavity protection, the Sugar Acid Neutralizer and Fluoride protection helps to deactivate the sugar acids in plaque making it easier for fluoride to take its action to further strengthen and repair teeth, preventing cavity formation.

Give your family a chance to be cavity-free with Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection plus Sugar Acid Neutralizer! 

Ways To Fight and Survive Depression: The Scoop On Suicide

Life is full of ironies. In the recent news, comedian Robin Williams hanged himself to end his suffering from drug addiction and chronic depression.  It was but a tragic way to bid his life goodbye. Despite of the glamour and glitz of Hollywood, Williams, who had rose to fame by making people laugh on his films chose to end his life by putting off his "jolly" mask and showing everyone his true emotions. This reminds me of Britney Spears' song entitled "Lucky". The said song rings true to Williams' life, it clearly states that despite the Hollywood fame, there's something missing in his life. Once the spotlights went off, he'd find himself alone and lonely. When he's all by himself, that's when depression creeps into him. 

There will really be times when we'd feel that the world will crumble before us. Personally speaking, I've had the worst time this year after having an accident sometime in April where I had my hip fractured and later had required me to have partial hip prosthesis. And since breaking my hip, hearing the words "You have osteoporosis" is even more startling. So it's understandably so that for quite sometime, I really went through depression because at the time I really thought I could no longer walk normally and I became anxious about my health. But clinging on to God's promises, I know all these things shall pass. If it's not okay today, it's not yet the end. Four months had passed since we met an accident, I thank God for giving me the strength to carry on and I thank all my friends, my daughter's friends, fellow bloggers for all the help and inspiration. I can now walk again (although with a cane). It's true that I can no longer do some things I used to do (like participate in fun runs) but still I am blessed to have been alive and enjoy the company of my loved ones

Of course, I'd miss running and participating in Zumba class as well as the other things I used to enjoy but can no longer do now. However, I'd rather focus on the things which I CAN still do than those I can no longer do. I believe thinking about the positive ones can make me feel better. I don't want to succumb to depression. There's more to life than just sulk in a corner and cry, it's important to cry once in a while, to release your emotions. But after that, you must learn to wipe those tears away and move on. I know you could say, "it's easier said than done." Well, I'd say it really is difficult yet when you surround yourself with people who truly cares for you, who REALLY HAS CONCERN, things would be a lot easier, believe me. You might even be surprised how you've survived all those stuff. 

I have here five steps which I've learned from attending The Scoop On Suicide conference recently which might help you to deal and eventually overcome depression: 

1. Bond with your family and friends. My daughter used to bottle up all her emotions to herself. You've got to learn how to open up and bare your soul. It not only feels good, but it'll also be good for your heart. Share whatever sentiments, grievances or problems you may have. Unload them to a friend who will be willing to listen and be a shoulder to cry on. 

2. Write all your problems, jot them down and once you're done, throw them away or burn them. By doing this, it's like crumpling off and throwing your problems along with the paper. 

3. Learn to Count Your Blessings. Think positive. There are a lot of reasons to be happy about and be thankful for. Stop comparing yourself with others. Nobody is perfect in this world. But with a positive mind, you will be able to carry on whatever problem that will come your way. 

4. Keep the Faith. No matter what the others say, prayers work wonders. Based on experience, it is Him who can really help us when we are at our lowest point in life. It is through praying that we connect with Him, listen to what He has about to say. 

5. Music is a good therapy. Music can heal the wounds of our hearts. When you listen to a fast and upbeat song, you can't help but feel its energy. Life is one big roller coaster, there will be times when you're down and times when you're up there. It's a matter of perspective. We can all beat and fight depression. 

If all else fails, seek the help of a friend, a relative, confidante, or call In Touch Community Services for FREE counseling. They will be there ready to listen to you 24/7. Call 893-7603 or on their mobile numbers: GLOBE 0917-8001123/ 0917-5067314

SUN CELLULAR: 0922-8938944/09223468776

Email them at crisis@i-manila.com.ph

Log on to their websites: www.in-touch.org

www.geocities.com/crisislineph

The Curtain Rises for The Theatre at Solaire

Press Release: Solaire Resort and Casino announces the opening of THE THEATRE at Solaire this November; a new state-of-the-art, certified lyric theatre in the heart of Entertainment City. This majestic performance venue boasts of an astronomical line-up of performance artists and events; both local and international, in the months to come.

THE THEATRE at Solaire opens its doors for the holidays with the first International Broadway show CHICAGO from December 2 to 21, 2014. This spectacular opening and amazing entertainment line-up for The Theatre signifies the continuance of Solaire’s contribution to the flourishing arts and performance scene in the Entertainment City.

@SolaireResort | #SolaireChicago

Visit solaireresort.com for details

AMD Unleashes World’s Most Powerful Server GPU for HPC

AMD FirePro™ S9150 server card delivers up to 2.53 TFLOPS of peak double-precision floating point performance for intense compute workloads, and 10.8 GFLOPS double precision-per-watt, up to 77% more performance/watt than the competition

AMD announced the AMD FirePro S9150 server card – the most powerful server Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) ever built for High Performance Computing¹. Based on the AMD Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture, the first AMD architecture designed specifically with compute workloads in mind, the AMD FirePro S9150 server card is the first server card to support enhanced double precision and break the 2.0 TFLOPS double precision barrier¹,². With 16GB of GDDR5 memory  – 33 percent more than the competition –  and maximum power consumption of 235 watts, AMD FirePro S9150 server GPUs provide supercomputers with massive compute performance while maximizing available power budgets.

“Today’s supercomputers feature an increasing mix of GPUs, CPUs and co-processors to achieve great performance, and many of them are being implemented in an environmentally responsible manner to help reduce power and water consumption,” said David Cummings, senior director and general manager, professional graphics, AMD. “Designed for large scale multi-GPU support and unmatched compute performance, AMD FirePro S9150 ushers in a new era of supercomputing. Its memory configuration, compute capabilities and performance per watt are unmatched in its class, and can help take supercomputers to the next level of performance and energy efficiency.” 

The AMD FirePro S9150 server card is supported by a powerful software ecosystem, enabling developers to better harness its compute performance. In addition to AMD support for OpenCL™, including support for OpenCL™ 2.0 planned later this year, AMD announced a collaboration with Pathscale to support OpenMP 4.0 for AMD FirePro S9150 and selected other AMD FirePro graphics cards.

“Pathscale’s ENZO Compiler with OpenMP 4.0 and support for C, C++, and Fortran is used by customers in the Oil and Gas, Computational Science, Computer Aided Engineering, and other HPC segments,” said Christopher Bergstrom, CTO, Pathscale. “Our support for the AMD FirePro S9150 will enable these customers to benefit from the tremendous compute performance of AMD’s new server GPU while leveraging their existing investment in OpenMP software.”

“Having developed a supercomputer that ranked number two on The Green500 list, it takes exceptional compute performance and efficiency to achieve that status -- we couldn’t have done it without AMD FirePro S-Series server GPUs,” said Professor Dr. Volker Lindenstruth, Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Goethe University, Frankfurt. “We’ve been putting the AMD FirePro S9150 through its paces and we’re blown away by the performance-per-watt. Any supercomputer that leverages massive compute power with the AMD FirePro S9150 and makes a run for the top of the Green500 list stands a very good chance of succeeding.” 

“We’re currently testing the AMD FirePro™ S9150 server card and hands down it’s the fastest HPC GPU accelerator we’ve ever tested. We’re even more excited by the prospects of combining its raw compute performance with OpenCL 2.0 later this year,” said Simon McIntosh-Smith, head of the Microelectronics Research Group at the University of Bristol. “Our research benefits from an open and royalty-free API, and we’re committed to OpenCL™ to accelerate our computations. We applaud AMD’s planned support for OpenCL 2.0. New features such as Shared Virtual Memory and Nested Parallelism will allow us to make even better use of GPUs to increase performance and efficiency.” 

”Supermicro offers the industry’s widest range of GPU server solutions optimized for HPC and supercomputing in 1U, 2U, 3U, 4U SuperServer and 7U SuperBlade platforms,” said Don Clegg, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Supermicro. “Supermicro Green Computing solutions, featuring AMD’s latest AMD FirePro S9150 and AMD FirePro S9050, enable extreme compute density with support for up to 6x GPUs per node in 4U dual node, dual processor configurations, maximizing performance per watt, per dollar, per square foot.” 

“ASUS is pleased to feature AMD FirePro S9150 accelerators to enable server workstations with dedicated and reliable functionality matched with double precision floating point performance,” said Tom Lin, general manager, ASUS. “We’re dedicated to offering our customers solutions that deliver the most performance possible, and the energy efficiency and performance-per-watt of the AMD FirePro S9150 are an added bonus our customers will greatly appreciate.”“AMD FirePro S9150 delivers exceptional double- and single-precision floating point performance. Unlike other GPU accelerators, AMD FirePro S9150 features enhanced double precision, eliminating the need to buy a more expensive accelerator to get similar performance,” said Etay Lee, general manager at GIGABYTE’s Network & Communications Division. “Together with AMD, our product delivers the right solution for the market to enable power-efficient performance for supercomputer-class results.”

“AMD FirePro S9150 GPU accelerators will be an outstanding addition to our product line, allowing us to offer our customers solutions that deliver maximum performance,” said Albert Mu, vice president of MiTAC International Corp.’s TYAN Business Unit. “During the testing and evaluation of the AMD FirePro S9150 with TYAN servers, our team was impressed with the sheer horsepower. It far exceeded our expectations and our customers will be anxious to take advantage of that horsepower to accelerate their compute-intensive workloads.”

The AMD FirePro S9150 server GPU features:

5.07 TFLOPS of peak single-precision floating point performance – up to 18 percent more than the competition¹

Maximum double-precision floating point performance resulting in 2.53 TFLOPS peak double-precision compute performance – half of its peak single precision performance. 

Industry leading memory configuration – 16GB GDDR5 memory, 512-bit memory interface and up to 320 GB/s memory bandwidth 

2,816 stream processors (44 GCN compute units)

Error Correcting Code Memory support (external)

Ready to support OpenCL™ 2.04

235W maximum power consumption

AMD STREAM technology

Additionally, AMD introduced the new AMD FirePro™ S9050 server GPU with 12GB of ultra-fast GDDR5 memory, ECC Memory support, cutting-edge graphics and compute performance. The new server GPU delivers 3.23 TFLOPS of peak single precision, plus 806 GFLOPS of double precision floating-point performance for effortless processing of challenging compute workloads. 

The AMD FirePro S9050 server GPU features:

12GB GDDR5 memory, 384-bit memory interface and up to 264 GB/s memory bandwidth

1,792 stream processors (28 GCN compute units)

OpenCL 1.2 support

Error Correcting Code Memory support (internal and external)

225W maximum power consumption

Both of the AMD FirePro S9150 and S9050 server GPUs feature PCIe® x16 dual slot form factors and passive thermal solutions more compatible with server environments. Additionally, both cards support AMD STREAM technology which powers the ecosystem that enables AMD FirePro™ S-Series server GPUs to be used for compute intensive workflows leveraging the massively parallel processing power of AMD GPUs, and to accelerate many applications beyond just graphics.

"AMD now offers industry leading solutions in professional workstation and server graphics," added Adrian Thompson, VP of Marketing for SAPPHIRE Technology, AMD's Exclusive Global Distribution Partner for AMD FirePro professional graphics. "With these new families of products, SAPPHIRE is steadily expanding its reach into new markets and applications areas."

AMD FirePro S9150 and S9050 are expected to be available for purchase in Q3 from AMD global distribution partner SAPPHIRE Technology, and compatible servers and motherboards for the AMD FirePro S9150 are also available from server integrators ASUS, GIGABYTE, Supermicro and TYAN.

Supporting Resources

Learn more about AMD FirePro™ S9150 server GPU

Learn more about AMD FirePro™ S9050 server GPU

Learn more about AMD STREAM technology

Become a fan of AMD on Facebook

Follow AMD professional graphics on Twitter- @AMDFirePro

About AMD 

AMD designs and integrates technology that powers millions of intelligent devices, including personal computers, tablets, g ame consoles and cloud servers that define the new era of surround computing. AMD solutions enable people everywhere to realize the full potential of their favorite devices and applications to push the boundaries of what is possible. For more information, visit www.amd.com.

SOLAIRE RESORT AND CASINO UNVEILS ITS NEW PLANE LIVERY

Press Release--Solaire Resort and Casino, the Philippines’ premier integrated resort, in partnership with Air Asia unveils a breakthrough branding project in the Philippines.  

 

Solaire again raises the bar as it wraps its brightly colored livery on Air Asia’s popular Airbus A320, which is scheduled to embark on its maiden flight this July.  Solaire is the first-ever consumer brand in the country to fully wrap and brand a commercial airline, with an underlying thrust of further promoting tourism in the Philippines and in greater Asia.  

 

This dynamic collaboration between Solaire and Air Asia represents another step forward in an on-going journey towards providing modern travel and leisure experiences for its customers, with a fresh new approach to their target market.  This partnership will facilitate more passenger and cargo traffic in both regional and domestic flights, and foster stronger trade, cultural and tourism ties within Asia.

 

“This milestone is a key undertaking between two passionate brands with entrepreneurial and dynamic mindsets. This unprecedented branding project in the Philippines may be taken as a "leadership statement," which attests to Solaire's strong growth momentum in the industry. Yes we are again raising the bar; this time we're taking it to the skies.” says Donato Almeda, Board Director of Solaire Resort and Casino.

Currently, Solaire’s brand colors are donned by just one airplane, but nothing is stopping them from further rolling out this innovative wrap on additional aircrafts in the future with broader partnership arrangements.  The campaign will continue until 2016 and it is envisioned that this high-impact ad in the sky will generate more hype and publicity as the partnership progresses.

 

Jasper Evangelista, Vice President of Brand & Marketing, Solaire Resort and Casino said, “This aircraft-branding campaign is a strategic branding initiative which would allow us to literally take our brand to greater heights. We have created amazing moments for our customers since Solaire launched last year, and now we’re aiming to further connect with our local & foreign guests and travellers by reinforcing our brand presence in the country’s airports. Sky Solaire will enable us to get immediate traction on this effort and even take it to a level all its own.”

 

In-line with Solaire’s “Create Your Moments" campaign, which highlights Solaire as the perfect place to create unforgettable memories, this fitting partnership with AirAsia, one of Asia’s leading and multi-awarded airlines in their category, harmoniously evokes the key thrusts of customer service, hospitality, and excitement for both their industries.  This marketing initiative is also primed to open up new revenue streams for both the integrated resort and the airline carrier.

 

AirAsia Philippines Chairman Maan Hontiveros said, “AirAsia Philippines is a sociable and innovative brand. We also take pride on our collaborative nature. This new livery demonstrates our creative approach to partnerships and marketing opportunities especially with companies that support our vision to grow tourism. We are thrilled to carry Solaire’s brand in the sky and on the grounds at the airports here and abroad extending to as far as our destinations in Malaysia, China and Korea.”

 

The Solaire experience is stamped with an unparalleled brand of service style, world-renowned Philippine hospitality, top-of-class luxurious accommodations, diverse dining options and impressive gaming facilities, which have all contributed to the way people people view resort casinos in Manila. Many have opted to extend their stay at the resort, to have simply grown to embrace the aspirational and stress-free lifestyle offered to them at Solaire. Solaire Resort and Casino clearly offers the utmost experience of comfort, elegance and luxury in the Philippines right now.