World Robotics Olympiad 2010 in RP

The World Robotics Olympiad (WRO) will be held for the first time in the Philippines.

The country is all prepared for the annual meet of the youngest and the most brilliant minds in the realm of science and technology. Carrying the theme "Robots Promotes Tourism", the event will set foot on November 6 at the SMX Convention Center.

Organized by Mylene Abiva, President and CEO of Felta Multimedia, Inc., the 2010 Robotics is the avenue to bring out the world-class talent and skills in robotics from different countries all over the globe.

More than 1,000 young students is aiming to bring science and technology into a new whole level with their presentation and demonstration of robots solidified by their engineering powers, creatively translated in robots design, applications and structural disposition.

The robotics event has two categories, the Regular Category, which focuses on the technical skills of the students, and the Open Category which is the creative category where students can better present their creativity using Lego products.

The 2010WRO is sponsored Felta Multimedia, Inc by the Science Education Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Education

For more details, contact Coni Peralta at 912-1379 or e-mail felta@pldtdsl.net or visit www.felta.ph.

First International Dia Del Galeon Festival

The Spanish Galleon Trade, especially active in the years between 1565 and 1815 during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines, is considered as probably the biggest precursor for globalization and world trade.

Just last year, in commemoration of the Galleon trade, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Oct. 8 of every year as Dia Del Galeon (Day of the Galleon), the day in 1565 when the San Pedro Galleon, directed by Fray Urdaneta, reached Acapulco and the same day that Manila-Acapulco trade route was established. This trade route, called the “Tornaviaje” connected Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Africa and became a conduit for commerce and cultural exchange.

In this spirit, the Baler 400 Steering Committee, led by Sen. Edgardo Angara, the UNESCO International Theater Institute, and the National Commission for Culture and Arts organized the first ever International Dia Del Galeon Festival, which kicked off last Sept. 25 and will last until Oct. 8.

The three-week event was dubbed “History, Heritage, Habitat, and Language: Precursor to Globalization,” was launched in Bohol, succeeded by workshops on the arts and culture, theatrical productions, demonstrations, exhibits and performance, participated in by delegates from the Philippines and other countries with the Galleon Trade experience. A three-day international conference of scholars, historians, and artists was also held, which discussed the historical, political, economic, and cultural impact of the Galleon trade History on contemporary civilizations.

The Viaje del Galeon, a one-week educational trips in various Philippine ports of call during the Galleon Trade, covering Samar, Leyte. Cebu, Bohol, Negros, and Northern Mindanao, was the highlight of the festival, with more 250 local and foreign students tracing the galleon route in the Philippines.

Said Ms. Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, director general of Dia Del Galeon Festival, “Among the objectives of the festival are to trace its effects as a major influence in world political economy and its repercussions on present day globalization and establish its role in the development of marine sciences and other related areas aside from culture.”

Interest parties my log on to www.facebook.com/diadelgaleon.com or call Ms. Charisse Aquino-Tugade at 527-2192 local 616. For more information, contact the NCCA-Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) at (632) 527-5529, 527-2192 loc. 508, 612 to 615, email at ncca.paio@gmail.com, public_affairs@ncca.gov.ph or visit the NCCA website at www.ncca.gov.ph

PALHS AquaFiesta 2010

“It is our aim that maybe in the near future, we can make Aquafiesta an international event here in the Philippines and thus help lift up the ornamental fish industry,” PALHS President Vigilart “Archie” David said in an interview about the AquaFiesta 2010.This aim buoyed even more as the event exhibited its underwater grandeur at Tiendesitas, Pasig City last April 26 to May 2.

The event was a successful plunge for the Philippine Arowana and Luo Han Society (PALHS), the event’s organizing team, in line with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) Ornamental Fish Week fete. PALHS is a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance and reliable information through sharing knowledge, experiences and ideas for those that enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of keeping Arowana, Lou Han (Flowerhorn) and other types of freshwater and marine fishes. It is also the objective of PALHS to encourage, aid, and spread the enjoyment of the aquarium hobby in the Philippines.

AquaFiesta 2010 displayed Arowana Shows and the first ever Koi and Goldfish Shows. Competitions of fish breeds between aquarium hobbyists were also held at the event that made the Team Cebu homed six out of seven trophies from different Koi and other fish breeds categories.

AquaFiesta 2010 is sponsored by Tiendesitas, Las Farolas – the Water World, TOMiGAi, Manila Bulletin, Agriculture Magazine, and Viking. The event which is also supported by BFAR also has a special acknowledgment to Mr. Henry G. Babiera,

For more information, you can visit PALHS’s website at mypalhs.com or contact them at (0922) UR-PALHS (87-72547).

PMAP Hosts Connecting Philippine HR to the World: A Fusion of HR Best Practices

Human resources, better known as HR, are an integral part of a company. They provide options for the personal growth of employees and develop ways in order to encourage and develop a harmonious relationship within the organization. In order to do these tasks effectively, HR practitioners must keep abreast of the latest trends and best practices not only locally but globally.

Keeping track with the globalization of many aspects of business, the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) organized a special learning event entitled “Connecting Philippine HR to the World: A Fusion of HR Best Practices” at the SMX Convention Center at Pasay City.

Held last April 23, the conference featured six of topnotch HR practitioners to discuss specific topics: Mr. Ernesto G. Espinosa, president of the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA) discussed “Global Leadership Development and Challenges.” Mr. Pieter Haen, president of the European Association of People Management was the speaker for “Creating People Advantage in Times of Crisis and Beyond.” African Federation of Personnel Management Associations president Mr. Tiisetso Tsukudu tackled “HR in the Changed Economy.” Vice President of the International Society of Human Resource Management Mr. Brian Giade talked about “The Future of HR: What’s Next for the Profession?” Mr. Horacio Quiros, who is the secretary/treasurer of the WFPMA and president of the Federacion Interamericana de Asociaciones de Gesiton Humana was tasked to talk about “Diversity as a Competitive Advantage.” Finally, Mr. Peter Wilson of the Asia Pacific Federation of Human Resources Management talked about “Risk Management from an HR Perspective.”

Inquiries regarding the conference may be directed to Ms. Bernadette Tan of the PMAP secretariat at telephone number 726-1532 or via email at dette.tan@pmap.org.ph.

400th UST year

This year marked the 400th year of the University of Santo Tomas in España, Manila. The exposition will be from October 15 to 17 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Thomasian Leaders Alumni Association, Inc., and the university administration, is in full swing preparation for its Quadri-Centennial Celebration.

This event will showcase the products and services of corporations, as well as small and medium enterprises that are either owned or managed by UST alumni. As part of the celebration, moreover, last March 24, the Thomasian Global Trade Expo (TGTE) was unfolded at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Manila.

Some of the alumni officials noted that this is the first time that UST, in its 400-year history, will have this kind of activity that will showcase the contributions of its alumni to Philippine society and to the rest of the world. The TGTE is one of the major highlights of UST’s Quadri-Centennial celebration.

Interested sponsors and exhibitors are requested to contact Angeli Sobremonte Tuazon, TALA Founding Chairman at e-mail: angietuazon@gmail.com and Dennis Arapeles, at telephone 323-7777.

Filipinos Experience German Culture in Manila at Second Mabuhay Germany Expo

The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry(GPCCI) carried out its second Mabuhay Germany exhibit of products and services at the Bonifacio Highstreet last October 9 to 11, 2009.

This three-day event through Mabuhay Germany aimed to bring German culture, food and fun to Filipinos specifically to those families residing in Manila. Mainly, the said affair conducted exhibition hours, activities for children (at the Hansel and Gretel Haus), food tasting of German delicacies, and eco bazaar.

The said expo was directly preceded by an environmental symposium hosted by GTZ (German Technical Cooperation) which tackled renewable energies and business opportunities in climate change mitigation, as discussed by DOE Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan and former Energy Secretary Vincent Perez.

A classical night with by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and a Catholic Mass concluded the event. Mabuhay Germany featured GPCCI member-companies, NGOs and non-profit organizations that are engaged in various local industries that include automotive and automotive technology, shipping and logistics, airline and support services, financial services, food, consumer goods, garments, and tourism.

The thematic expo, “Let’s Go Green” also aimed to go beyond the three-day expo and herald a greener Philippines as well as the preservation of life itself. The exposition, which drew some 10,000 visitors, was chaired by Sec. Heherson Alvarez, Presidential Adviser on Climate Change, and supported by the Miss Earth Foundation.

Present in the event were Presidential Adviser on Climate Change Sec. Heherson Alvarez, German Ambassador Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch, Taguig City Vice Mayor Atty. George A. Elias, GPCCI President Klaus Schroeder, Mabuhay Germany Organizing Committee Chairman Franz Roland Odenthal, and Ms. Philippines-Earth Sandra Seifert.

Mabuhay Germany was sponsored by BMW, Banco De Oro, CATS Mercedes Benz, GTZ, PGA Cars-Audi, Hobbes & Landes, SIEMENS, Sphairon, Fully Booked, TÜV Rheinlandl, Miss Earth Foundation, and Hamburg Trading Corporation, held in partnership with Bonifacio Highstreet.

For more inquiries, call the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry at (632) 338-6845 or e-mail info@gpcci.org.

QC tackles Culinary, Tourism Etc.

As endorsed by the Department of Tourism Philippines and organized by an events company called Stram Events, the “2nd QC NA! KULINARYA, TALENTO, TURISMO, ATBP!” was held from August 21-23 at Eastwood City, Libis.

Different activities were lined up during the event such as Top Culinary Restaurant Trendsetters Recognition Night, Fruit and Vegetable Carving Competition, BBQ & Original Sauces Competition, Cocktail Mixed Drink Competition (Amateur) and Cocktail Mixed Drink Competition (Professional).

Some of the event’s highlights also include the Manila’s market basket cooking competition, low cholesterol diet meal competition, and fruit and vegetable carving competition. The event also had various sponsors such as Monterey, Purefoods Hormel, Purefoods Ham Selections, Fast n Easy, Antonov Vodka, G.S.M. BLUE, Gran Matador, Basso, CCA, Harvey Fresh, Marigold, Health Plus, and Maxim. On the other hand, media sponsors were consisted of F&B World, Cool, Business World and Depot Home.

This event was co-organized with Quezon City Tourism Council, Quezon City Government, Quezon City Chamber of Commerce, La Loma Lechoneros Quezon City and Chilis.

For inquiries, please call 927-7208 or email them at stram_events@yahoo.com.