Pop-Up Town at Circuit and Arca South

Last year, I was able to go to last year’s Christmas Bazaar at Circuit Makati. I was able to buy the stuff I need from this bazaar. This is the only time of the year that this bazaar showcase stuff you don’t see in malls. I bought an educational toy for my baby nephew.

Now called as Pop-Up Town, Ayala Land once again will hold the bazaar not only in Circuit but also in Arca South in Taguig. There will be booths for fashion, locally made products, Celebrity Avenue where the stars will sell their products, and Mercato Centrale for pigging out.

The newest part of Pop-Up Town is the giant inflatable obstacle course by WOR. The Circuit leg of Pop-Up Town will be on Nov. 17 to 19 and the booths will go to Arca South on Dec. 2 to 3. The good thing about this bazaar is you don’t need to rush to a mall and braced the holiday traffic rush.

For more updates at Ayala Land, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Hitachi Aims To Disrupt Industrial IoT Platform Market With New Commercial Lumada Software Stack

Fully Enhanced and Now Available as a Standalone Offering for IoT Developers and Architects, Hitachi’s Lumada Provides an Intelligent, Composable Platform That Delivers Faster Time to Insight and Business Value for Industrial and Enterprise Customers

Hitachi Ltd. (TSE:6501) and Hitachi Vantara, today jointly announced Hitachi’s first commercial Lumada internet of things (IoT) platform offering. Now in its v2.0 release, the Lumada IoT platform has been fully updated with an elegant, portable architecture that enables it to run both on-premises or in the cloud and to support industrial IoT deployments both at the edge and in the core.

The new software stack is designed to help customers quickly and easily gain insights, predictions and recommendations from their data, and can be easily adapted to support mid-to-large-scale environments. Lumada’s integrated advanced analytics have also been enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI) functionality at scale. The result is a highly intelligent and flexible platform that accelerates superior outcomes for enterprise and industrial customers, such as increased operational efficiencies and cost savings, enhanced operational safety and reliability, improved asset utilization, performance management and product quality, and the creation of new business models.

Among the notable advancements to the Lumada IoT platform are asset avatars, Hitachi’s unique approach to what is commonly referred to as “digital twins.” Asset avatars provide a digital representation of physical assets and rich metadata for analytics, serving as a digital proxy for business and industrial assets and providing rapid data-driven insights into their health and performance, with continuously updated sensor values. This approach helps to eliminate “blind spots” in operation-critical systems by providing improved access to – and insights from – business, machine and human data, which can help users move more rapidly from measurement to management to improvement. The newly enhanced software stack also provides IoT developers and architects with powerful design tools and features that simplify the creation and deployment industrial IoT solutions, with faster time to insight.

Since introducing Lumada to the market as a co-creation platform in May 2016, Hitachi has hardened and optimized its Lumada IoT platform. These improvements are based on numerous deployments in proof-of concept (POC) and co-creation project engagements with its customers and partners, as well as in its own factories. 

Hitachi worked with customer Daicel Corporation to co-create an image analysis system using Lumada that improves product quality and increases productivity by detecting signs of facility failures and deviations in front-line worker motions. This system has allowed Daicel to improve the in-process guarantee rate for products. 

Another customer, Okuma Corporation, worked with Hitachi to co-create an advanced high-efficiency production model with Hitachi to support mass customization in its manufacturing plants. The target of this joint demonstration experiment is to double productivity and reduce production lead time by 50%. 

Based on the best practices developed throughout projects like these, Hitachi has enhanced Lumada’s functionality to simplify management of business and industrial assets, support greater asset utilization and accelerate the time to value of IoT deloyments. Its next generation architecture is highly flexible, composable and adaptable to support customers’ existing business and IT environments and help them to more rapidly achieve highly optimized outcomes. 

Customers looking to accelerate their IoT initiatives using Lumada will benefit from engaging Hitachi’s co-creation services, tapping its expansive expertise in both operation technology (OT) and information technology (IT) to create customized IoT solutions that are tailored to their unique requirements.

“Our next-generation Lumada IoT platform demonstrates Hitachi’s unparalleled expertise in both OT and IT, and reinforces Hitachi’s commitment to being an innovation partner for our customers in the IoT era,” said Keiji Kojima, chairman at Hitachi Vantara and senior vice-president and exective officer at Hitachi Ltd. “With the powerful advancements delivered today, our customers and partners can now choose to harness the full power of Lumada’s AI, advanced analytics and asset avatars capabilities to simplify their own IoT solution development or to accelerate their digital transformation initiatives in co-creation projects with Hitachi. In either case, we believe Hitachi is delivering a highly intelligent and unique solution that challenges the industrial IoT platform market status quo.” 

Hitachi’s next-generation Lumada IoT platform architecture has been fully updated with five major layers to form a flexible, portable and composable software foundation with comprehensive security capabilities and expanded support for unstructured data uploads. IoT developers and architects will also benefit from Lumada’s dynamic design features, rich analytics and robust asset management capabilities, including:

• Lumada edge: Allows any variety and velocity of data to be easily ingested, transformed and analyzed in close proximity to physical assets.
• Lumada core: Provides asset registry, identity and access management and simplifies the creation of asset avatars.
• Lumada analytics: Blends OT and IT data to uncover patterns with powerful analytics, machine learning and AI.
• Lumada studio: Delivers predefined widgets to simplify the creation of dashboard applications; issues alerts, notifications or just straight-through processing.
• Lumada foundry: Offers foundational services to ease deployment on-premises and in the cloud, as well as security, microservices and support features.

“We are exceedingly proud of the next-generation Lumada software stack we are delivering to the market and opening up to developers today,” said Rich Rogers, senior vice-president of engineering and product management at Hitachi Vantara. “However, Hitachi’s intention is that Lumada will be much more than just another IoT platform in a crowded market. Lumada’s ultimate purpose is to make it simple to harness the power of IoT data to drive real value for Hitachi’s customers and partners. We remain committed to delivering exceptional integrated software, solutions and services for Lumada. Our vision is that one day all Hitachi machines will be connected to it, enriching the data-driven insights and value we can provide to ensure every Hitachi customer will benefit.”

Product Availability and Information

Hitachi’s Lumada IoT platform software is generally available now for purchase and in co-creation engagements with Hitachi and select partners. Some features may not be immediately available in all markets. For more information and a complete list of product and feature enhancements, visit https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/products/internet-of-things/lumada.html. 

Experience Hitachi’s Lumada IoT Platform at NEXT 2017

Hitachi’s new Lumada IoT platform software and related solutions will be on display at the company’s user conference, Hitachi NEXT, in Las Vegas, September 19and 20, 2017. Event attendees can see live demonstrations of the software and the innovative IoT solutions Hitachi and its customers and partners are developing with it. 

The event also features a full track of IoT developer breakout sessions, providing attendees with an opportunity to engage directly with Hitachi product management executives and development teams. The developer breakout session will provide a deep dive on the latest architectural advancements, design features and best practices for building industrial and commercial enterprise IoT solutions with Lumada. For more information, visit www.hitachinext.com. 

Zero distractions with adidas Dame 4

Press release

zero distractions

DAME 4. CONFIRMED.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - October 2017 – Love it or hate it… you know what time it is. adidas took on the challenge of creating zero distractions with the Dame 4, elevating the importance of all day comfort without losing sight of on-court durability and Damian Lillard’s Oakland grit.

The model is seamlessly designed to eliminate on-court distractions while ensuring sock-like comfort and fastened stability as Dame attacks the opposition. A ventilated mesh upper delivers a new flow on-court, paired with lace cables for a reinforced fit that maximizes breathability.

Full-length BOUNCE cushioning is optimized for ultimate court feel and superior comfort for the everyday hustle. Designed with unique grooves for creating space against defenders, an evolved traction pattern is reworked as a nod to Dame’s quick cuts and hard drives to the basket.

Detailing his life’s journey in the game and capturing his most influential moments on the court, signature time stamps are etched across the lace-band:

·         35.12 – Breakout game stats that put Damian on coaches’ maps in high school

·         25.6.4 – Nation-leading stats that got Dame noticed during his final season at Weber State

·         6 – Selected as the No. 6 overall pick and averaged 19 points, 6.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game to earn 2013 Rookie of the Year  

·         0.9 – With just .9 seconds remaining on the clock, Dame drained a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer in 2014 and Dame Time was officially born

·         0 – 0% chance critics gave Dame on his journey from Oakland to Ogden to Oregon

Full-length BOUNCE cushioning converges with the outsole, visually treated as a musical waveform that represents Dame D.O.L.L.A.’s passion for hip-hop. YKWTII is displayed on the heel as a message to all the doubters, reminding them “You Know What Time It Is.” DAME CERTIFIED is featured on the sockliner with the motto “Patience Persistence Purpose” to further exude Dame’s unrelenting attitude.

Dame 4 is now available for P5995 in http://shop.adidas.com.ph, leading adidas stores, and select retailers.

Join the conversation @adidashoops on Twitter and Instagram with #Dame4.

For more information, visit news.adidas.com.

Blue Water Day Spa introduces their Slashie/Brand Ambassadors

My first spa experience at Blue Water Day Spa was a launch held in one of their branches. While we are watching the presentation, we are also being treated with foot spa. At first, I was hesitant because I thought it was too girly for me but I find it really relaxing.

Blue Water Day Spa is introducing their new ambassadors. These ambassadors are chosen because they have a busy lifestyle. They are called slashies. What is a slashie?  As I understand this modern slang, a slashie is a person doing two professions. In my example, there was a time I was an investment broker/blogger.

Bluewater Day Spa features their ambassadors. They are also slashies because they also have busy lifestyle. Ervic Vilandre is an athlete/model/actor.  When not on TV, he plays basketball and goes to the gym. On the other medium, Blanca Mercado juggles her time as Manila Times COO and mother.

Each ambassador has their own endorsement. Bianca Mercado for Anti-Aging Facial, actor Ben Alves and Ervic Vijandre for the Athlete’s Massage, model/actor David Licaoco for the Combo Herbal Massage, Man of The World 2017 Mustafa Galal Elezali for the Revitashape, the youngest ambassadors; Yasmin Chloe Simisim, Kurt Wyatt Yap, and Jaden Emmanuel Trinidad for the Baby Massage and Celebrity Ambassador Kim Chiu for Lympatic Massage.

Blue Water Day Spa offers these services because our busy lifestyle. It will help unwind from your busy lifestyle and get rejuvenated and renewed. For more lifestyle updates, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Hitachi Vantara Deepens Industrial IoT and Services Bench With New Executive Appointments

Press release

Company Doubles Down on the Internet of Things, Software and Services;
Taps Former GE Digital COO Brad Surak for Chief Product and Strategy Officer and Former IBM Watson Data Platform VP John Murphy to Lead Offerings Management 

Hitachi Vantara, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd. (TSE: 6501), announced the appointments of two new executives to support the company’s industrial internet of things (IoT) and services portfolios. Brad Surak has been named chief product and strategy officer (CPSO), overseeing the development of Hitachi Vantara’s solutions portfolio; John Murphy has been tapped to advance its services portfolio as vice president, offerings management. The news comes close on the heels of the company’s unveiling at Hitachi’s inaugural NEXT user conference, where it launched a fully enhanced Lumada IoT platform, together with other new offerings, including its Hitachi IoT Appliance, Hitachi Enterprise Cloud and Hitachi Smart Data Center, among others.

 

Brad Surak

Brad Surak joins Hitachi Vantara from GE Digital, where he most recently served as the company’s chief operating officer. Prior to that, he served as GE Digital’s first chief product officer, where he was responsible for GE’s global IoT solutions and digital industrial product portfolio. Before joining GE, Surak served as the general manager of Mobile Analytic Applications and was the chief operating officer of the Business Analytics Solutions unit at SAP. He has also held executive positions at Business Objects, Cambridge Technology Partners, and Ernst & Young. In his new role as CPSO at Hitachi Vantara, Surak will be responsible for driving the company’s product and technology road map to bring intelligent innovations to market that deliver exceptional value and outcomes for Hitachi’s customers and partners.

“Hitachi’s exceptional breadth and depth of operational and information technology expertise sets it apart from other players in the digital solutions and industrial IoT markets and gives it a unique advantage,” Surak said. “I’m immensely pleased to be joining the Hitachi Vantara team to drive a comprehensive product strategy that addresses our customer’s greatest business challenges from edge to core to outcomes.”

John Murphy joins Hitachi Vantara from IBM, where he most recently led product development and product management for the IBM Watson Data Platform. During his tenure, he also held key leadership roles in its data analytics and enterprise content management businesses. Prior to IBM, Murphy held leadership roles in a number of software organizations, ranging from startups to large enterprises across diverse industries, including banking, entertainment, consulting and high tech. Reporting to Hitachi Vantara’s Chief Solutions and Services Officer Bobby Soni, Murphy will lead unified offerings management for the company, supporting development of its digital solutions and services portfolio and business strategy.

John Murphy

“Hitachi is boldly positioning itself to deliver the services and solutions that modern data-driven enterprises are hungry for,” said Murphy. “I’m proud to be joining a team that is so intently focused on serving the needs of its customers, and is uncompromising in its commitment to provide the unique delivery models and innovations they need to best capitalize on their data and more effectively compete in their markets.”    

Launched by Hitachi, Ltd., on September 19, 2017, Hitachi Vantara is a new business entity that unites the operations, technologies, intellectual property and human capital of Hitachi Data Systems, Hitachi Insight Group and Pentaho into a single, integrated company that is focused on digital innovation. The company is now aggressively expanding its executive leadership team to support the delivery of best-in-class software, solutions and services offerings for global enterprises looking to transform their businesses and innovate with their data.

“In a market environment where our ability to bring digital innovations to market with speed and agility is increasingly important to better serve our customers, it's critical that we continue to deepen our bench with the industry’s best talent,” said Brian Householder, president and chief operating officer, Hitachi Vantara. “Hitachi Vantara is building a world-class executive team that possesses deep domain expertise in every corner of our portfolio — from data infrastructure and software, to cloud and analytics, to IoT and digital industrial solutions. This is why we are exceedingly pleased to welcome Brad Surak and John Murphy to the Hitachi family. We expect to accelerate the continued evolution and enhancement of our technology, solutions and services offerings under their leadership.”   

AMPALAYA MONOLOGUES CELEBRATES 2ND ANNIVERSARY WITH ‘TWO IS BITTER THAN ONE’

Press release

PRESS RELEASE:

Ref: Toots Tolentino

(m) 09472985003

AMPALAYA MONOLOGUES CELEBRATES 2ND ANNIVERSARY WITH

‘TWO IS BITTER THAN ONE’ ON OCTOBER 14

To celebrate two years of artistic bitterness, the team from Ampalaya Monologues have decided to double up the bitterness with a one-night only anniversary show “Ampalaya Dialogues #TwoIsBitterThanOne” on October 14 – Saturday from 7 pm – 10 pm at the PETA Theater Center located at Eymard Road, E. Rodriguez Q.C.

Ampalaya Dialogues #TwoIsBitterThanOne will showcase six short one-act plays that will feature two characters in each story. All of which are written by Mark Ghosn and will be performed by actors of Theatre in Alternative Platforms (TAP).

Known for being the country’s most popular venue for ‘hugot’ artistry, Team Ampalaya promises that this year’s feels-fest will still have those witty and relatable punchlines that are combined with unique, heart wrenching, yet entertaining stories. A formula that we’ve all been a fan of and has served as their trademark throughout the years.

The 6 One-Act Plays

Tayo, Sa Pagitan Ng Mga Salita

Starring: Thalia Nicole and Kenneth Monserrate
Drei and Alex are bandmates who are working on a spoken word and music collaboration for their upcoming gig. But what started as a collaboration session is slowly turning into confessions of hidden feelings that they can only express through poems and songs. Will they finally put a label on their relationship or will words get in the way?

Mga Naiwang Tanong sa Huli Nating Tag-araw
Starring: Mark Ghosn and Alvin Nakassi
College classmates Arman and Drew accidentally meet again 7 years after they last saw each other. They decide to reminisce about their friendship over wine and pasta. As they do so, untold stories from the past emerge, forcing them to face the feelings that they’ve been trying to forget since their last summer together. As the night goes by, will one unasked question finally get its long awaited answer?

Huling Kuha
Starring: Berna Manipon and FJ Gonzales
On the day of their pre-nup shoot, law students Arthur and Dawn find their relationship in the middle of a trial. As evidences emerge and allegations are thrown at each other, will they be able to save their wedding or do they have to decide on a much harsher verdict? When is love more important than the truth?

Kung Paano Tayo Tinalo ng Pag-ibig
Starring: Yan-yan Gervero and Hogi Cadlum
Angie contemplates on whether or not to continue her marriage with Darwin/Dara, her cross-dressing husband who is about to give birth to her new identity. As Dara convinces Angie to take the risk, they are both faced with questions about what love really is and how they have the chance to change its meaning. Are you willing to lose yourself to let love win?

Beauty and the Bes
Starring: Janine Lloce and Emman Jimenez
This kilig-comedy features the well-loved ampalaya character, Bes. Fresh from a not-so-successful tinder date, Bes decides to go at it again, this time, on a blind date. But on her way to, she got trapped in an elevator with a perfectly looking, super handsome, drool-worthy gentleman. Is this the chance encounter she’s been waiting for? But wait, why does he look so familiar?

Babies and the Bridges They Burn
Starring: Gracia Paterno and Ysai Cajilig
How do you burn a bridge? In the case of frenemies Ara and Ally, it takes a lot of manipulation, brainwashing, backstabbing, blackmailing and name calling to do so. But what’s a baby got to do with it? Let’s just say it holds the match to light up the fire. Get ready for a sassy war. Watching bridges burn hasn’t been this enjoyable.

MONOLOGUES AND SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCES

What’s a Team Ampalaya show without the monologues? The show will also feature new Ampalaya Monologues as performed by Dave Ramones, Pat Sy, Ristichen and Abe Herma. As well as performances from some of today's best spoken word artists: Louise Meets, Jihad Mambuay and Zuela Herrera of Words Anonymous; Jerome Cleofas and Sofia Medina of Collaboratory PH; Rommel Pamaos, Ansherina Jazul and Angela Pamaos of LAPIS; Carlo Hornilla of Karibok Collective; Leandro Reyes and Mark Dimaisip of Loudmouth Collective.

LIMITED SEATS | ONE NIGHT ONLY EVENT

Limited tickets for this one night only event is P500 only and is available at Ampalaya Monologues facebook page www.m.me/AmpalayaMonologues. Please note that video taking will be prohibited during performances.

LIMITED SEATS | ONE NIGHT ONLY EVENT

Limited tickets for this one night only event is P500 only and is available at Ampalaya Monologues Facebook page www.m.me/AmpalayaMonologues. Please note that video taking will be prohibited during performances.

Don't miss this rare event! See you there!