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| Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) OIC Rico J. Cabangon (center) receives from Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) Standards Development Division (SDD) Chief Ma. Teresita del Rosario (third from left) the ISO Excellence Award during the flag ceremony held at the DOST on January 22, 2024. With them are (from left) Senior Trade-Industry Development Specialist Rheychelle Pidoc; DTI-BPS Standards Development Section Assistant Division Chief Myra Magabilin; Science Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr.; Science Undersecretary for R&D Leah J. Buendia; and Chief of DTI-BPS Product Testing Division Jay Illescas. (Image Source: Business Mirror/Deparment of Science and Technology) |
A Department of Science and Technology (DOST) official is the first Filipino expert to receive the coveted International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Award. The recognition is bestowed to Dr. Rico J. Cabangon, OIC (Officer in-Charge) Director of the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) and Chairman of Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) Technical Committee on Bamboo and Rattan, for his work in Bamboo and Rattan (ISO/TC 296), and his leadership in the working group on Bamboo for Furniture (WG 5).
Dr. Cabangon is also cited for his contributions to the development of ISO 6128:2023 which outlines the requirements and test methods on laminated products made of bamboo strips for indoor furniture purposes. The formulation of ISO 6128:2023 aims to boost the global trade of laminated bamboo and strengthen its value, effectiveness, and competitiveness in the market. The ISO Excellence Award recognizes the endeavors of ISO’s technical professionals, experts, project leaders, or convenors in committee working groups that have significantly helped in “furthering the interests of standardization and related activities". DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. congratulated Dr. Cabangon for this recognition and underscored the need to create more standards and testing facilities particularly for engineered bamboo products that are economically promising for export. This includes e-bamboo as structural material for trusses and columns.
“We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Cabangon is the first Philippine expert to receive this special award from ISO. PNS 2099:2015 Engineered Bamboo for general purpose – Specification is also the first Philippine National Standard (PNS) approved/translated into an International Standard, ISO 6128:2023,” said DTI-BPS Standards Development Division Chief Engr. Ma. Teresita G. Del Rosario during the awarding ceremony held at the DOST main office last January 22, 2024. Del Rosario added, “The DOST’s efforts and contribution to national and international standardization activities are recognized by receiving this international award. This demonstrates how the Philippines’ involvement and contribution to sustainability-driven standardization at the national, regional, and international levels has improved.”
(With words by Maybell Mariella A. Palaypayon and Kathleen Joy B. Bitao, DOST-Science and Technology Media Service)
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PHLPost Celebrates Chinese New Year 2024 With Wooden Dragon Stamps
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| (Image Source: Sunstar/Philippine Postal Corporation) |
To welcome the Chinese New Year, the Philippine Philatelic Federation Inc. in partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) and Lucky Chinatown Mall unveiled the colorful commemorative “2024 Year of the Wood Dragon” stamps. PHLPost Post-shop, Philately and Museum Division Head Arlene Labao, Philippine Philatelic Federation, Inc. President Rey Ong, Lucky Chinatown Mall General Manager Ms. Norico Mizoguchi, and Philatelic Expert Dr. Tiong Tak Ngo led the launching ceremony and the opening of Zodiac Stamp and Painting Exhibit at the ground floor of Lucky Chinatown Mall. The Zodiac Stamp and Painting Exhibit is now available for public viewing until the 29th of February.
“This event will also allow us both Chinese-Filipinos and Filipinos in the country to witness and appreciate the colorful Chinese Zodiac Stamps released by PHLPost and kept by well-known collectors through the years," said Postmaster General Luis Carlos. The Exhibit will showcase collections of Zodiac Stamps by collectors Alfredo Roxas, Reynaldo Ong De Jesus and Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak. The public can also check out the awesome and inspiring Chinese paintings and calligraphy by Prof. Chua Hu Hua. PHLPost will also sell limited copies of the two colorful designs of the “ Year of the Dragon” stamps with denominations of Php16 and Php45 respectively. It releases 2,500 pieces of the limited collector’s item souvenir sheets at Php200 each and 800 copies of first day cover envelopes.
PHLPost has been releasing the Chinese Zodiac-themed Lunar New Year stamps yearly to celebrate Filipino-Chinese culture and traditions. The Chinese Zodiac is about symbolically doing away with the old of the previous year and ushering in health, good fortune, prosperity, and happiness for the coming lunar year. The 2024 Year of the Dragon symbolizes strength, courage and creativity.
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realme Continues To Pioneer PH eSports And Holds Regional Wars In Pangasinan
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/realme Philippines) |
Following the success of the first-ever realme Regional Wars – Call of Duty: Mobile last September 2023 at the realme FanFest that commenced in Pampanga, Davao and Cebu, the smartphone brand continues to prove its commitment and support to Filipino gamers in local eSports. This time around, realme Philippines brings Regional Wars in Pangasinan and will be holding a Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) tournament as part of celebrating Guanzon Festival on February 17, 2023 at Robinsons Pangasinan. The tournament is open to all MLBB amateur players residing in Pangasinan and neighboring provinces or cities. Meanwhile, teams must consist of five (5) players and at least thirteen (13) years old (all minors must provide written guardian’s consent during registration) and all teams must be willing to participate in the qualifier match schedules set by the event organizers.
Moreover, all participants will be equipped with a realme C67 to use for the duration of the tournament as the smartphone. It is backed with a highly power efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 and has a 90Hz refresh rate that both allow for a smooth gaming experience. The realme Regional Wars Pangasinan Edition has a total prize pool of Php150,000 worth of cash and products. The winning team will be taking home Php5,000 and a realme Pad each. Meanwhile, the first runner-up and semifinalists will take home cash prizes as well as TechLife products. The realme Regional Wars Pangasinan Edition will be hosted by Chantelle Hernandez and will be joined by shoutcasters OSX and Manjean Faldas. Aside from this, the Squad can visit the realme booth to get a chance to meet and greet these well-known casters along with Odin.
For those who are interested to join, teams can register online via https://bit.ly/realmeRWPangasinanRegister and as for the participants who prefer to register on-site, they can walk-in the venue on February 17 as registration starts at 10:00 am. For complete mechanics and registration, the Squad can check out realme Philippines’ official Facebook post at https://www.facebook.com/realmePhilippines/posts/pfbid0EQzF8JSZuW9piKXTxvrzkVNwemmwTmf2dzKquGf55DYZ79C4E4zhqVKVCEqHfQxNl.
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Batangas Provincial Blood Council, LGUs Honored At Regional Sandugo Awards
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| (Image Source: Batangas Provincial Public Information Office/Department of Health Center for Health Development Region IV-A/Arlene Brucal) |
The Batangas Provincial Blood Council and several local government units (LGUs) across the province were honored and recognized at the Regional Sandugo Awards held last February 8, 2024 in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City organized by the Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development Region IV-A with the theme "CALABARZON BLOOD AWARD: Gratitude, Honor and Recognition of the Heroes of the Modern Era".
The province of Batangas, through the Batangas Provincial Blood Council (BPBC), was granted a special recognition in gratitude for the important contributions, extraordinary efforts and continuous support in the implementation of the Philippines' National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP). The Batangas Provincial Blood Council comprises of various government agencies and offices, as well as other sectors, including some health and academic institutions in the province with Governor Hermilando Mandanas as honorary chairperson, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Rosvilinda Ozaeta as acting president, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Batangas Chapter Administrator Ronald Generoso as vice president, and PEMSgt. Manuela Cueto of Batangas PNP acting as council chairperson.
Meanwhile, the City of Calaca and municipality of Balayan were appointed as the Top Performing Local Government Unit (LGU) at the City and Municipal Levels, respectively. Also receiving recognition are the LGUs of the cities of Batangas, Lipa, Tanauan and Sto. Tomas and the towns of Alitagtag, Cuenca, Taysan, Calatagan, Nasugbu, San Pascual, San Luis, and Bauan as well as several hospital blood banks and stakeholders in the province and the Provincial Government of Batangas' Provincial Health Office (PHO) and Public Information Office (PIO). Voluntary Blood Services Program Manager Arlene Brucal and Vector-Borne Disease Prevention and Control Program Manager Rosanna Macaraig from the Provincial Health Office received these recognitions in behalf of the provincial government and the provincial blood council. The recognitions achieved by each local government, organization, and office are a symbol of being always partners to spread the importance of voluntary blood donation, so that the region has proper access to sufficient, high-quality, and free blood-related products.
(With words by Mark Jonathan M. Macaraig, Batangas Capitol Public Information Office)
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HONOR Philippines Gathers Over 500 Jumpers To Raise Awareness For Heart Health
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| (Image Source: Swirling Over Coffee/HONOR Philippines) |
The “HONOR Your Heart: A Jump Rope Workout for the Philippine Heart Center by HONOR Philippines in partnership with Jump Manila” was a huge success after over 500 participants joined the donation and awareness drive on heart health with the total proceeds will go to the beneficiaries of the Philippine Heart Center. Held during the Car-Free Sunday Mornings at Ayala Avenue last February 11, 2024, these jumpers flocked together in hopes of raising funds and awareness for the Philippine Heart Center through a highly-enioyable jump rope workout led by Jump Manila with food and refreshments sponsored by Fitbar, Gardenia, and Sip.
“This partnership has been truly meaningful for all of us in HONOR. What better way to shed light on heart health than during love month, right? We celebrate love every February, yet we know very little of our heart health. With the success of HONOR X9b 5G, a platform has opened for us to raise awareness on this important matter,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng. “As long as we have a platform and as long as there are brands like HONOR Philippines that are willing to support this great cause, we will always aim to raise awareness on heart health,” said Jump Manila Founder Erwin Ng.
During the event, the HONOR X9b 5G was put on a test yet again as the participants tried its viral smash and drop tests. First seen to destroy a hallow block and watermelons, the HONOR X9b 5G was seen to be smashing a hard-shelled coconut. Priced at Php16,999, the HONOR X9b 5G is readily available on Lazada, Shopee, TikTok Shop and HONOR Experience and Partner stores nationwide.
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Experience The Roar Of The Dragon's Gaze In 4K With TCL's Chinese New Year Promo
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| (Image Source: 2nd Opinion/TCL Philippines) |
Fortune comes in different forms. As we usher in the Wood Dragon Year, TCL Electronics, a leading consumer electronics brand and one of the world’s top two TV brands, is welcoming the new year with a special lucky promo. Experience the powerful Dragon’s gaze in 4K with our latest 55” P735 4K UHD TV, now priced at just Php23,995 – a savings of Php9,500 from its previous price of Php33,495! Plus, enjoy a free 2.1ch Soundbar worth Php4,595. That’s a fantastic deal you won’t want to miss!
The P735 4K UHD TV is loaded with exceptional features like High Dynamic Range (HDR), 60Hz MEMC algorithm, Dolby Vision, Theatrical Dolby Atmos, and more. Gamers can also get more value-added features with HDMI 2.1 and Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM) that guarantee the silky smooth console gaming experience by deducting blurs and stutters. guarantee the silky smooth console gaming experience by deducting blurs and stutters. That’s not all! You also get to enjoy watching 700,000+ movies and TV episodes all in one place because it’s a Google TV. So make the most out of it by streaming online and using it as your online navigation for your favorite websites and apps. Hurry, the TCL Dragon’s Gaze Promo runs until February 29, 2024 at all TCL authorized dealers nationwide.
