Friday, September 28, 2018



– Hawks Talon GC Selects Connor “Dat Boy Shotz” Rodrigues
with First Overall Pick of Expansion Draft
 

SECAUCUS, Sept. 26, 2018 – The NBA 2K League held its first expansion draft today at the NBA office in Secaucus, New Jersey.

The league’s four expansion teams, affiliates of the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, recently announced their NBA 2K League names as Hawks Talon GC, NetsGC, Lakers Gaming and T-Wolves Gaming, respectively.  Each of the four expansion teams selected two players from a pool of 68 players who participated in the inaugural season and were not protected by their original team.  All expansion draftees will join their new teams for the 2019 season.

The expansion draft was a two-round snake draft, meaning that the second round had the inverse order of the first round.  With the first pick, Hawks Talon GC selected Connor “Dat Boy Shotz” Rodrigues, who spent his first season in Portland with Blazer5 Gaming.  NetsGC selected second, T-Wolves Gaming selected third and Lakers Gaming selected fourth.  The complete list of round-by-round selections and team-by-team selections can be found below.

The draft order was determined by a draft lottery earlier this month, which was conducted by drawing ping-pong balls in random order from the official ball machine that is used for the NBA Draft Lottery.

From Sept. 27 to Oct. 10, all 21 teams will have the opportunity to make trades, and the original 17 teams can retain additional players from their 2018 rosters in exchange for 2019 draft picks.  For more information on offseason player protection, additional player retainment, and trade rules, go here >> https://2kleague.nba.com/news/nba-2k-league-expansion-details/

The date of the 2019 NBA 2K League Draft will be announced in the coming months.  The 2019 NBA 2K League Draft order is subject to change based on trades and additional player retainment. 
First Round
First Round
Pick
Team
Player Name
Gamer Tag

  1.  
Hawks Talon GC
Connor Rodrigues
Dat Boy Shotz

  1.  
NetsGC
Nate Kahl
NateKahl

  1.  
T-Wolves Gaming
Tim Anselimo
oLARRY

  1.  
Lakers Gaming
Mitchell Franklin
Mootyy

Second Round
Pick
Team
Player Name
Gamer Tag

  1.  
Lakers Gaming
Chris Cantrell
Kontrul

  1.  
T-Wolves Gaming
Mihad Feratovic
I F E A S T

  1.  
NetsGC
Moshood Balogun, Jr.
Shockey

  1.  
Hawks Talon GC
Devon Peek
ARS0NAL x


DRAFT PICKS BY TEAM



Hawks Talon GC
1. Connor Rodrigues (Dat Boy Shotz)
8. Devon Peek (ARS0NAL x)


NetsGC
2. Nate Kahl (NateKahl)
7. Moshood Balogun, Jr. (Shockey)

T-Wolves Gaming
3. Tim Anselimo (oLARRY)
6. Mihad Feratovic (I F E A S T)


Lakers Gaming
4. Mitchell Franklin (Mootyy)
5. Chris Cantrell (Kontrul)



For more information about the NBA 2K League, visit NBA2KLeague.com and follow @NBA2KLeague on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.





MANILA, Philippines – Everyst Stories is proud to announce the release of SolarFlare, a brand new original series creatively advised by Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor, Masi Oka. With excitement generating among readers, two ongoing series, The Conspiracy Research Club’s @CRC_Luna and The Convenience Store’s @EddieEdEdEd, have begun to generate public awareness and interest.

Everyst is a “social fiction” app that tells its stories through real-time character-written tweets. Based in Tokyo, Japan, Everyst’s stories are collected and published through Everyst’s proprietary publishing tool. This allows readers to receive real-time notifications and enjoy stories at their own pace.


“You see all sorts of social media personalities telling stories through their posts,” shares Everyst content creator, Merryweather. “Social Fiction is more like theatre. You have characters actually participating in the delivery of the story to the audience, which makes it possibly the most immersive type of fiction that you can create.”

“I’m excited to explore the potential of the Everyst platform.  It is a unique way of storytelling that opens up many possibilities.  In particular, multi-linear stories that can be told through the point of view of multiple characters is a facet that is limitless. The stories are simple but can weave in and out complexly with each other.  I look forward to the collaboration of traditional media and Everyst, along with the unfolding of my story, SolarFlare,” shares Masi Oka.


SolarFlare
(Genre: Sci-Fi)
Earlier this year, Masi Oka, who starred in television’s Heroes and Hawaii Five-0, joined Everyst as a creative advisor. He co-created SolarFlare, which is among his first projects, with selected members of Everyst’s creative team including Hengtee Lim, Ben Watanabe, and Filipino illustrators, Jayron Zapanta and Fer Lan Oppa.

SolarFlare is an upcoming series that blends elements of science fiction and comedy into a light-hearted, character-driven adventure. The story follows a group of young and excited self-acclaimed geniuses on a mission to explore the Alpha Centauri star system for habitable worlds. But in order to get there, the group must ride the wave of a solar flare.

"I'm excited to show what's possible with the added dimension of time and multi-linear stories,” shares co-creator Masi Oka. “I look forward to connecting Everyst with movie and manga storytellers to help them fill the valleys between their traditional releases and cannot wait to see the reaction to my first story collaboration on Everyst’s new release.”

The Conspiracy Research Club
(Genre: Mystery)
Developed by Merryweather, The Conspiracy Research Club is a loving homage to the aesthetics of horror. The series follows Luna Gardner, a member of the Poppy Valley High School Conspiracy Research Club, who investigates the strange events of her hometown with her friends. Stories are published weekly.

“Something I enjoy a lot is character writing, and I feel like we have managed to create three characters with good comedic chemistry, who also care for each other. They're outcasts, in a way, which makes them a tight knit group,” says writer Merryweather.

The Convenience Store
(Genre: Comedy)
Inspired by Hengtee Lim’s experience in retail, The Convenience Store follows the story of Eddie (@Eddieededed) and the seemingly endless parade of people and events that come his way. A light-hearted comedy that pokes fun at the mundane, readers can follow all the laughs, heartaches, and shenanigans Eddie experiences each and every day.

“The story is about four people just trying to make the best of things, and failing most of the time. The highs, the lows, and the best and the worst of human life,” says Hengtee Lim.


Meeting the Creative Team
Local readers will get the chance to meet the creative minds behind their favorite stories from Everyst on Thursday, September 27th, 2018 at YCafe in Salcedo Village, Makati City. This special press conference will allow readers and key members of the media to take a sneak peek at SolarFlare, as well as enjoy a sit-down interview with local series creators, @MiChan617 and @Mocheekanon.

Start Reading!
All these incredible stories are available to readers all across the country through the Everyst App! Follow @EddieEdEdEd, @CRC_Luna, or @s_f_natsuko, and the rest of the cast on Twitter to experience an Everyst Story! The Everyst app is available on iOS and Android if you want more!

(L-R) Dr. Ivee Perez - OIC - Chief, SGOD, Dr. Aurelio G. Alfonso - OIC-Assistant Superintendent, Erwin Panergo - Program Specialist, Rebisco Foundation, Inc., Agnes Hernia - Head of Ad & Promotions, Rebisco, Krista Romero - Brand Manager, Rebisco Crackers, Katherine Simundo - Marketing Group Head, Rebisco, Ronson Dy - Community & Government Relations Lead, Rebisco, Rey G. Delos Reyes - Marketing Director, Rebisco, Lulu dela Peña - Head of Marketing Communications, Rebisco, Dr. Cecille G. Carandang - OIC-Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Naohmie Rivera - Principal, Sto. Nino Elementary School, Ms. Erma Queja - Principal, Gabriela Elementary School, Dr. Nimfa Narcise - Principal, Bagong Silang Elementary School



Manila, Philippines – Being able to eat healthy food is something that we often take for granted because it is a norm for us.

But for many Filipino children and their families, access to nutritious meals is a constant struggle. Satisfying hunger is one thing; ensuring that the food is nourishing is another challenge altogether. This nutrition gap can lead to deficiencies that deprive a growing child’s body of proper nutrients needed for growth and brain development.
 
Rebisco  Marketing Director Rey G. de los Reyes talks about the Pasobra Pack campaign during the turnover at Bagong Silang Elementary School. According to data from UNICEF, two of the main micronutrient deficiencies are iron and iodine. Iodine is vital for normal growth and tissue development. Lack of iodine can contribute to brain damage that is otherwise preventable. It is most devastating during fetal development and the first few years of a child’s life.

Iron helps carry oxygen around the body, and is especially vital for the brain and blood. Iron deficiency
 is the “most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world.” Anemia, which occurs when red blood cells do not have enough iron-rich protein known as hemoglobin, can be detrimental to a child’s physical and cognitive development. It can also affect their productivity as adults.

Pasobrang love

Recognizing this need, local snack manufacturer Rebisco is pitching in to help make a difference in the lives of young Filipinos.

For every purchase of a Rebisco Cracker 200g handy pack aptly dubbed Pasobra Pack, Rebisco allocates a portion of the proceeds for the production of specially fortified biscuits. These ‘nutribiscuits’ are formulated with much-needed micronutrients—particularly iron and iodine—that help equip school-age children to be physically healthy and mentally active.

Senator Sonny Angara at the launch of DepEd Caloocan Division’s plans for 2019. 


Rebisco has teamed up with the Department of Science and Technology-Food Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) to develop these nutritious biscuits, formulated to address the micronutrient deficiency problem prevalent in indigent communities. 

“Rebisco products are meant to be shared,” Rebisco President Jonathan C. Ng said. “As Filipinos, our culture of sharing goes beyond our immediate families and circle of friends. We want to tap into this giving spirit and enjoin our consumers to make something as simple as snacking count for something that makes an impact on the lives of Filipino children.”

Pilot feeding

Rebisco recently unveiled this advocacy program via the Department of Education (DepEd) Caloocan Division’s Oplan Kalusugan Program. The first batch of specially fortified biscuits was turned over during the launch event held at Bagong Silang in Caloocan, where Rebisco also set up a sampling booth for residents and students.

For the current academic year, Rebisco is providing nutribiscuits, supplemented by main meals from DepEd, to a total of 871 students from Grades 1 to 3 in three Caloocan-based public schools: Bagong Silang Elementary School, Gabriela Silang Elementary School and Sto. Nino Elementary School.
Every purchase of the Rebisco Crackers Pasobra Pack is equivalent to one specially fortified biscuit for one school day.

“We’ve been creating well-loved biscuits for over five decades now, and we want to be able to lend our expertise to a greater cause,” Ng added. “As a proudly homegrown brand, we are committed to doing our part to empower this country’s future generation of Filipinos. With the continued support of our consumers, we are confident that we can truly make a difference.”

For the month of July, Rebisco has produced enough nutribiscuits for 1,120 children that will cover 120 days starting the 2019 school year. The snack food giant is continuously working to increase this number to help feed more children. Every purchase of the Rebisco Crackers Handy Pack is equivalent to one biscuit for one school day. Check out facebook.com/RebiscoCrackersPhilippines for more information.

Thursday, September 27, 2018



Acer Philippines unveiled their newest collaboration that would enhance the user's gaming experience. Last September  26, 2018 at  I Darts Dash in BGC, Acer Philippines introduces it's latest addition to the Nitro 5 gaming series: the Intel Optane-powered Nitro 5. Lauded for its refined styling and outstanding performance for casual gamers, the Nitro 5 is the first device to receive a speed boost from the Intel Optane Technology. Three Nitro 5 Intel Optane-powered models were presented to demonstrate the enhanced memory and speed of the Nitro 5. 


Housed in a sleek black and red body, the Nitro 5 offers crushing audio thanks to the marriage of Acer’s TrueHarmony and Dolby Audio Premium, an intense high definition IPS display, a strategically placed 802.11 ac wireless antenna and 2x2 MIMO, and a plethora of ports to connect to almost any secondary device.

Nitro 5 is all about providing a high quality gaming experience for the casual gamer, but casual gaming doesn’t mean inferior features,” shares Sue Ong-Lim, Sales and Marketing Director of Acer Philippines. “In fact, with Intel Optane tecnhnology, the Nitro 5 is sure to immerse its user into an intensely satisfying gaming experience.”

Built for Performance and Control
The Acer Intel Optane-powered Nitro 5 offers an improved six-core design, an emphasis on premium performance so users never drop a frame or miss a beat while the action unfolds, and Intel Optane memory that increase responsiveness and load times. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics allow for a truly immersive graphic experience with faster rendering, finer textures, and dynamic lighting to snipe enemies hiding in even the darkest shadows. Up to 512 GB of NVMe PCIe solid-state storage is available on the Nitro 5, providing plenty of space for apps and games while enabling ultra-fast booth up times. The Nitro 5 features up to 32GB of DDR4 memory, which draws 20% less power than DDR3 memory for more efficient gaming sessions. Once on the battlefield, Acer’s NitroSense utility monitors the status of the CPU/GPU, while CoolBoost Technology adjusts the fans for optimal performance.


Styled for Domination
The Nitro 5 offers bold refinement not commonly seen in a gaming laptop, thanks to its elegant laser texturing and understated matte hinge. The crimson red hinge beautifully matches the futuristic design of the backlit keyboard, while the 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display produces brilliant imagery with crisp details. A front-facing HD web camera lets users strategize with the squad as they prepare to unleash terror on the competition, and celebrate together after victory is secured. Users can also easily broadcast games live with Mixer, directly from the Game bar on Windows 10 simply by pressing the Windows key plus G.


Audio Excitement and Gigabit Wireless
With high-quality audio as an essential component for gaming, Dolby Audio™ Premium and Acer TrueHarmony™ technology ensure the finely-tuned speakers pick up on any would-be attackers entering the scene. The Nitro 5 features Intel® Wireless-AC 9560 2×2 802.11ac wireless which offers Gigabit performance that enhances gaming, streaming, and conferencing experiences. A plethora of ports including hyper-fast USB Type-C, HDMI 2.0, and Gigabit Ethernet are included so users are prepared for every mission whether at home or on the go.

Pricing and Availability
The Acer Nitro 5 Intel Optane-powered laptops are now available starting at PHP 59,999.00 for Core i5+ and PHP 69,999.00 for Core i7+.





Manila, PhilippinesShaping the youth goes beyond classroom learning as academic institutions now offer a wide array of extra-curricular activities to help build character and better prepare students for the real world. As one of the country’s biggest educational institutions, STI has also adopted this mindset as they apply a holistic education approach within its Enrollment to Employment (E2E) system.

With its dedication to produce well-balanced and highly talented graduates, STI has developed specialized extra-curricular programs that allow students to hone and exhibit their talents inside and outside of their respective courses.

One of its marquee programs is its long-running STI Talent Search, which the institution holds annually to promote the sharing and fostering of innate talents of its students nationwide.

Over 20,000 senior high school and college students from STI campuses in different parts of the country will gather in a whole-day celebration of talents, skills, and achievements that upholds STI’s thrust towards excellence on October 5, 2018 at the Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

For 35 remarkable years of developing students’ potentials through academic and extra-curricular activities, STI holds true to its commitment to hone the next generation of well-rounded individuals.

The competition is held across all STI campuses nationwide which begins with STIers competing in the local level. Top participants are then elevated into the cluster level and culminated with its grand national finale.

The STI Talent Search will feature STI’s finest student musicians, dancers, heartthrobs, and darlings to compete in this year’s Singing Idol, Battle of the Bands, Hataw Sayaw, and Mr. & Ms. STI.

As the grand finale draws closer, students and publics alike can look back at the best STI talents from this year’s Nationals on the 2018 STI Talent Search on www.sti.edu.

In the coming months, the Tagisan ng Talino and Tagisan ng Sining will take place across the STI network. These academic competitions include Think Quest (team quiz bee), CodeFest (mobile app development), Stand up & Deliver (impromptu speech), Essay Does It! (essay writing), Mix n’ Flair (flair bartending), All in Place (table setting with menu card preparation), Travelogue (tour guiding),Chef Xpress (cooking competition), Worth the Wisk (cake decoration), Shutter’s Best (photography), and Director’s Cut (video making).

STI also holds the STI National Youth Convention, an educational caravan in key cities across the country that aims to inspire and enlighten students through talks from esteemed speakers and experts.

Boosting STIers’ athleticism, discipline, and sportsmanship, the network-wide Sports Cup is open for senior high school and college students to join and compete on a national level. Students may opt to join men’s basketball competition, the STI National Basketball Tournament, or the women’s volleyball games, the STI National Volleyball League.

STI’s humble beginnings can be traced as a computer training center with only two campuses. Then over the years, STI has transcended to a holistic educational institution, providing diverse programs in Information Technology, Business and Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Arts & Sciences, Engineering, and Senior High School, in 77 campuses nationwide.






Amidst the alarming growth rate of new HIV infections in the country, Durex Philippines recently launched its Always Come Prepared campaign which seeks to prevent the disease from spreading further. The campaign was strongly supported by organizations such as the UNAIDS, Love Yourself, and campaign advocates the boys of Boys Night Out. In the photo are (from left to right) radio jock Slick Rick, Reckitt Benckiser head for regulatory Atty. Ricky Salvador, sex therapist Dr. Rica Cruz, UNAIDS country director for the Philippines Dr. Louie Ocampo, Reckitt Benckiser general manager Chris Ritchie, infectious diseases expert Dr. Marion Kwek, Love Yourself and safe spaces advocate Iosif Cadelina, radio jocks Toni Tony, and Sam YG.



Globally, the incidence of new transmissions of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has slowed down. In the Philippines, however, official data from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) show that there has been a 174 percent increase in HIV cases since 2010.



“There is an urgent and pressing need to curb the infection. While the rest of the world has decreasing rates, we are going the opposite way. This is something that is very alarming,” said Karol Canlas, Brand Manager of Durex Philippines.



With its rising HIV numbers, the Philippines is of special interest to Durex. The world’s leading condom brand launched its Always Come Prepared campaign that amplifies the message of protecting one’s self from the threat of HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).



The campaign, which uses a quirky visual of a toy soldier using a condom as a parachute, wants to bring the conversation of the HIV threat into a more understandable level and easy to digest way for the general public, particularly the young adults.



The numbers tell a grim picture of the situation in the country—an estimated 12,000 new cases reported in 2017, with an estimated 61,000 to 76,000 Filipinos living with HIV.



“Contrary to the global rate of new HIV cases, which has been decreasing by 18 percent, the Philippines sings a different tune. There is a need to ring the alarm bells, to bring the conversation of HIV to more Filipinos in a more understandable way,” said Dr. Louie Ocampo, Country Director of UNAIDS in the Philippines.



The Always Come Prepared campaign will also banner the trio of Boys Night Out – Sam YG, Toni Tony, and Slick Rick as campaign advocates, HIV-testing advocacy group Love Yourself, and UNAIDS.



Despite the alarming numbers, condom use is still relatively low in the Philippines. Condoms are still the only known effective method of preventing the transmission of HIV and other STDs aside from abstaining.





Kicking off at Baguio City last July, Shell Bike Fair wraps up this year’s festivities with a bang this Saturday, September 22 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City.

The biker community in the Philippines has grown exponentially as more and more riders consider two-wheeled vehicles as a more practical and convenient mode of transport. Based on the latest statistics from LTO, the number of registered motor vehicles in the Philippines has grown to 10.5 million as of 2017.

Pilipinas Shell, a reliable partner of the biker community, in making their rides better celebrates the courage and resilience of bikers as they take their daily journeys despite the difficulties that they face in weaving through obstacles on the road.

This day is really to express how grateful we are for the support that we received from the Filipino biking community,” said Shell V-Power Brand Manager, Mark Malabanan. “As our theme says, together we ride stronger. We are honored to be chosen as their partner on the road, being there with them through the years. And, as we have for more than a hundred years, Pilipinas Shell continues to strive to make life’s journeys better for all motorists.”

Participants were treated to special offers from Shell and event sponsors as well as exciting games and booth activities. Performances by Rico Blanco, Rocksteddy, and other local acts also rocked the event alongside celebrity guests Daiana Menezes, Yam Concepcion, and Phoebe Walker.

Five winners each brought home scooters or motorcycles that were raffled off as major prizes: Honda CBR150, Yamaha Mio i125, and Suzuki Raider J115. The biker community was also given the chance to express their creativity through the Modified Bike and Helmet Design contests.

The highlight of the day was the announcement of the big winner of Shell Outriders: the nationwide search for the best bike club.

A total of 17 finalists representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao were picked out through careful screening of hundreds of entries received over the past two months. The chosen clubs set up creative displays at the convention hall to showcase their love for riding and how they exhibit personal and social courage. The champions received a cash prize of PHP 100,000.00 and fuel vouchers worth PHP 50,000.00.

We put up this search because we want to recognize bike clubs who exemplify the brand values and ideals of Shell. We were amazed to see how passionate they are for what they do and how they push to continue to outride anything.” said Shell Advance Brand Manager, Lorrie Ramirez.

This year’s Shell Bike Fair was made possible by Shell Advance and Shell V-Power, led by their passion to be the most reliable partners on the road. As a global leader in power and energy, Shell continually works to deliver smarter products and cleaner energy solutions.

Shell Advance motorcycle & scooter oils and Shell V-Power premium fuels work together in providing complete engine protection and world-class performance and efficiency on the road. With these, riders are empowered to outride the challenges that they encounter on the road.

For more information, visit www.shell.com.ph.



Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Get ready for discounts up to 60% off on the Samsung Official Store during
The Samsung Blue Sale from 24 to 27 September

Shopee’s Super Brand Day is back, this time with the first-ever tech-themed instalment with consumer electronic giant, Samsung. From September 24 to 27, users can shop at The Samsung Blue Sale featuring exclusive deals, vouchers, exciting giveaways and up to 60% off storewide on the Samsung Official Store on Shopee. 
Terence Pang, Shopee’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “Electronics has always been a popular category on Shopee, and following the launch of Shopee Gadget Zone earlier this year, we continue to see a steady increase in demand for tech products. We are proud to partner Samsung for the first tech-themed Super Brand Day, and look forward to working closely with them to deliver even more exclusive deals and promotions for our tech-savvy users.”
On top of attractive discounts, users can also look forward to an additional 15% off voucher applicable for any purchase for selected items from the Samsung Official Store, and exciting Facebook Live giveaway like a HW-K350 soundbar and AKG speakers which is happening on September 27.
Joel Cordova, Head of Online Business of Samsung Philippines, said, “Since launching our Official Store on Shopee, we have been able to leverage Shopee’s extensive user base to reach out to even more consumers across the region. We are excited to partner with Shopee for their first tech-themed Super Brand Day, with the Samsung Blue Sale and we are confident that it will be a great success.”
Here are the top 6 Samsung deals from the Shopee Super Brand Day’s Samsung Blue sale that users can score:
Limited Edition Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Ocean Blue 512GB
The Samsung Galaxy Note9 is equipped with artificial intelligence technology that sets it apart from other Samsung Galaxy smartphones. It features an upgraded camera system that can recognize 20 scenes and automatically adjust the contrast, brightness, white balance, and other settings before taking a picture. Samsung is throwing in a free Galaxy Watch 46mm for every purchase of the limited-edition Samsung Galaxy Note9 in 512GB
Samsung 43″ Inches 4K Smart TV
The latest Samsung 43 inches TV from the NU7100 Series 7 has real 4K UHD resolution so your family can enjoy a sharp, crisp image that has 4x more pixels than FHD TV. It also has PurColour which allows you to watch your favorite content with natural colors that deliver details as crisp as the real thing and get a more colorful viewing experience.  With its slim design, the TV adds a modern, polished and sleek touch in your home. Enjoy quality viewing with Samsung 43″ Inches 4K Smart TV with a 30% off discount only at Shopee!
Samsung Convection Microwave Oven
The Samsung Steam Microwave Oven is a multi-tasking kitchen solution with the HotBlast™ technology. It is a brand new way of cooking that reduces cooking times significantly through a powerful hot air that is blown through multiple air-holes directly onto the food, so it’s cooked evenly with a crispy outside, but juicy inside. Grab the Samsung Convection Microwave Oven at 15% off discount only at Shopee!

Instagram

Klikd2. Theme by STS.