COMDDAP Expo Manila 2009 Set to Showcase Best of Philippine IT

The best and the latest technology of the information technology (IT) industry will be present in this year’s biggest IT selling exhibit, the Computer Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines (COMDDAP) Expo Manila 2009, to be held on December 3 - 6, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center of the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Aptly titled “Maximum Exposure,” the event serves as the biggest one-stop-shop for IT products and services. The event will be highlighted by four major activities designed to exhibit the best of Philippine IT.

Twelve of the best minds and companies of the local IT industry will be featured in the special exhibit, Open Pinoy Solutions (OPS). It aims to place the Filipino IT geniuses into the spotlight and give them their well-deserved recognition.

3D Philippines Initiative or 3DPI is a one-of-a-kind program, featuring incredible and usable virtual models of the Philippines’ breathtaking sites found on Google Earth using Google SketchUp.

Reprising its widely popular shootout events, COMDDAP Expo Manila stages the back-to-back blockbuster this 2009. Now sharper, brighter, and with more brands in the running, The Great Projector Shoot-Out and LCD Monitor Shoot-Out are sure to help experts and consumers determine which brands are the most superior.

Finally, in the tradition of the COMDDAP Shootouts comes the latest showdown of pixel proportions. Visitors will train and challenge their sights in choosing the best quality inkjet printers at the Printer Shootout. The most popular printer brands will face off in a showdown of printing prowess by displaying photographic printouts for display and intense scrutiny.

Aside from this year's series of special events and seminars, offering the most up-to-date discussion and hottest tech trends on Adobe, Microsoft Windows 7 and data loss prevention, lucky expo-goers have the chance to win amazing gadgets and other exciting prizes in the daily raffle.

For inquiries, contact COMDDAP Secretariat at (632) 8103814, 8927947, 7509456 or visit their website at www.comddap.org for more details.

Book Lovers, Authors, and Publishers Celebrate 30th MIBF

Book lovers, authors, and publishers from all over the Philippines are invited to be part of the pearl anniversary of the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) scheduled on September 16 – 20, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center , Mall of Asia Complex, in Pasay City.

The 30^th MIBF carries the theme, “Proud to be 30: Words Without Borders”. MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc., in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc. (ACCI), Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc. (PBAI), and Publishers’ Representatives Organization of the Philippines (PROP).

This annual fair, which began in 1981, has grown to reach out to a wide range of audiences, spanning different generations, interests and socio-economic backgrounds to share and celebrate their love of books. And now, thirty years from when it started, the MIBF continues to promote books and reading by giving the bookselling and publishing industry a venue to promote new titles and authors, dialogue with readers, and discuss ways to improve the quality of books. In its 30-year run, the MIBF has been instrumental in showcasing books in all their forms, encouraging people to read and find their inspiration. Thus, the MIBF serves as a platform for traditional and new media, presenting books and other published works in all their permutations to an ever-growing audience. Yet its vision remains the same: to be a platform for books and other published works, and to promote reading and literacy.

Numerous activities have been lined up during the event such as storytelling sessions, writing workshops, seminars and talks about the issues and concerns of authors and publishers, and more. The 30^th MIBF will be highlighted with the exhibition of Tomas Pinpin's “Librong Pag-aaralan nang manga Tagalog nang Uicang Castilla”, the first book authored and printed by a Filipino. The exhibition is in preparation for the book's 400th Anniversary in 2010.

Also co-located during the event is the Edu.Shop, a trade fair featuring school materials, supplies, equipment, and facilities.

The 30^th Manila International Book Fair is sponsored by Albergus Catering, The Brain Computer Corp., Oishi, ARMVET Printing Company, Immovation Printshoppe, Inc., and the following media partners: The Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Veritas 846, 96.3 Easy Rock, A-Z Direct Marketing, Inc., Sambuhay (by Society of St. Paul), 99.5 RT , and NU 107.

For more information, call (632) 890-066, 896-0682, e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com or visit their website, www.manilabookfair.com/

Print, Online, and Mobile Media Heads Gather for Asian Publishing Convention

Local and international companies involved in print, mobile, and, online media industry took part in the Third Asian Publishing Convention (APC) held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City last July 16 to 17, 2009.

With the theme, “Multimedia Content Development, Deployment, and Management: Evolving Best Practices, Technology, Organization Structures, Biz Models”, the annual event has essentially established itself as the conference that brings worldwide publishing management thinking and expertise to multimedia publishing managers in Asia. It has proved itself as the annual convention that directs itself to the continuing professional development of publishing professionals in an atmosphere of learning and interacting with counterparts from all over the region.

The two-day event was filled with information-packed plenary and special interest sessions, designed to address different issues and concerns of publishers in this modern age. Speakers during the plenary sessions include Ms. Patricia Go, Corporate Communications Director of JG Summit Holdings, Inc.; Mr. Dondi Gomez, Vice President and Head of Corporate Marketing of Jolibee Foods Corporation; Mr. Erik Hartman, Strategic Partner Development Manager of Google Singapore; Mr. Chris Stevens, Global Account Manager of Swiss Post International; Ms. Lizelle Maralag, Managing Director of Starcom Mediavest Group Phils. Inc., Mr. Eugenio 'Gabby' Lopez III, Chairman and CEO of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation; Mr. Peter Loh, Sales and Marketing Director – Asia for ATEX; and Mr. Chris Schaumann, Global Advertising and Digital Lead of Microsoft Corporation.

As part of the culmination of the APC, eight winners and 16 excellence awardees from seven categories were awarded during the third Asian Multimedia Publishing Awards (AMPA) - Asia's premier awards program that recognizes best publishing practices in Asia.

The seven categories of this year's AMPA include: multimedia communication; use of digital technology; multimedia strategy and business model; multimedia advertising delivery; best use of multimedia marketing by a book publisher; best book/best writer on Asian media; and innovative corporate communications in a multimedia world. The AMPA incorporates the Asian Book Publishing Awards and Asian Corporate Communications Awards, which attracted 74 entries from 44 companies representing 9 countries worldwide.

The winners for this year’s AMPA are:

Category	Company name	Project / Project Name	Country
Multimedia Communication	CommonWealth Magazine Group	Grow Up 400	Taiwan
Use of Digital Technology	Studio Classroom	Cyber Village – an online English learning community	Taiwan
	UDN.com	UDN Self-Publishing	Taiwan
Multimedia Strategy and Business Model	ASAPP Media Pvt Ltd	CONSTRUCTION WORLD	India
Multimedia Advertising Delivery	Cyber Media India Ltd	“Saahas”	India
Best use of multimedia marketing by a book publisher	Commonwealth Publishing Co., Ltd.	Hot, Flat, and Crowded	Taiwan
Best book / Best writer on Asian media	HarperCollins Publishers India Ltd.	India on Television by Nalin Mehta	India

Philippine company Ayala Corporation won this year’s Asian Corporate Communications Awards for their Ayala: Celebrating 175 Years project.

APC 2009 is supported by Swiss Post International, Synovate, and Atex, in partnership with ACC Group of Companies, Cordillera Coffee, Asian Massage, ABS-CBN Publishing Inc., PLDT Sweetspots, and the following media and PR partners: AdAsia, Adobo Magazine , Media Partners Asia, Yehey.com, The Employer Magazine and Trainer Magazine, ACN Newswire, Weber Shandwick Worldwide, Amex Team Advertising Ltd., Creative Crest Integrated Public Relations, and Public Relations Society of Indonesia.

Conference partners include: ASEAN Book Publishers Association (ABPA), Asia Digital Marketing Association (ADMA), Asian Media Information & Communication Centre (AMIC), Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP), Magazine Business Association of Taipei (MBAT), Mobile Marketing Association (MMA), Magazine Publishers Association of Malaysia (MPA), Magazine Publishers Association of Singapore (MPAS), National Book Development Board (NBDB), National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS), Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA), Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI), Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA), Telesis Consultation Inc. and OIC Events.

For additional information on the Asian Publishing Convention, contact OIC Events at (632) 813-0711 or the APC secretariat at (632) 818-3289 or visit www.publishingconvention.com

31st ASM Recognized 2009 Best Works in Science and Technology

Scientists who continuously aim for the advancement of science and technology and research works designed to uplift the status of the whole Philippine society were awarded at the prestigious National Academy of Science and Technology 31st Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) held at the Manila Hotel last July 8-9, 2009.

The event was spearheaded by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), the highest government advisory body on issues and concerns related to science and technology. This year's ASM convention carried the theme “Active Aging: Preparing for Quality Life”.

Nineteen scientists, 7 scientific papers, 2 books, a monograph, and 6 posters were recognized as the best in their respective fields.

Leading the roster of awardees are the four newly-elected Academicians: Dr. Rodel D. Lasco (Forestry), Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr. (Plant Breeding), Dr. Rhodora V. Azanza (Botany), and Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit (Chemistry); and one Corresponding Member: Dr. Manuel M. Garcia (Microbiology).

Dr. Felino P. Lansigan is this year’s NAST-Hugh Greenwood Environmental Science Awardee. The NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists award was given to Dr. Roel R. Suralta of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice) and Dr. Mary Ann O. Torio of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and special citation for Dr. Jonas P. Quilang of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.

Nine scientists and researchers were awarded as this year’s Outstanding Young Scientists. They are Dr. Antonio G. Lalusin (Plant Breeding) and Dr. Lucille B. Villegas (Microbiology) of UP Los Baños; Dr. Ronald D. Villanueva (Marine Science), Dr. Julius M. Basilla (Mathematics) and Dr. Stella Luz A. Quimbo (Economics) of UP Diliman; Dr. Ma. Stephanie Fay S. Cagayan (OB-Gyne and Trophoblastic Diseases) and Dr. Leoncio L. Kaw (Surgery) of UP Manila; Dr. Melito A. Baccay (Civil Engineering) of the Technological University of the Philippines Manila; and Dr. Lawrence B. Dacuycuy (Economics) of De La Salle University Manila (DLSU).

Dr. Maricor N. Soriano of UP Diliman bagged the award for the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Prize for Young Scientists in the Philippines for her outstanding contributions in information processing and pattern recognition of optical signals.

The winning papers include the “Development of Integrated Pest Management Program for Mango in Palawan, Philippines” (Medina et al) ; “Geodatabase Development for Forest Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation in the Mt Makiling Forest Reserve, Philippines” (Bantayan et al); “Coastal Pollution Due to Increasing Nutrient Flux in Aquaculture Sites” (David et al); “Decolorization and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Reduction of Sugar Refinery Spent Ion-Exchange-Process (SIEP) Effluent by Electrochemical Treatment Method” (Capunitan et al); “Cloning and Characterization of the Oleosin cDNA Isoforms from Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)” (Regalado et al) and “Isolation and Characterization of the Oil Bodies and Oleosin of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)” (Rodelas et al); and “Activity of Metal Oxides Supported on Activated Carbon During Xylene Oxidation” (Gallardo et al).

Books on the Fragrant Ornamental Plants in the Philippines by Teresita Lantin-Rosario (UP Press: 2005) and Bone Tumors in Filipinos by Edward H.M. Wang and Ariel Vergel de Dios (Bookmark, Inc: 2007) were relegated to the top of this year’s Outstanding Books. On the other hand, the Banwa Natural Science, Special Issue on Sago (Metroxylan sagu Rorrb.) published by the Office of Research of UP Mindanao was awarded as the Outstanding Monograph.

The six winning scientific posters were “Carbon storage and sequestration potential of upland and mangrove forest ecosystem in Binahaan watershed and Padre Burgos, Quezon” (Gevaña et al); “CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides as Immunomodulators of rBio t 5-Induced Allergic Reactions” (Ramos et al); “Synthesis and Characterization of Cordierite Prepared from Mixtures of Philippine Kaolinite Clay, Talc and Other Additives” (Pondoc & Mendoza); “Histomorphometry and Osteoinductive Growth Factor Levels of Fracture Callus Versus Iliac Crest Bone Grafts” (Gaston et al); “The Young, the Elderly and Household Saving: Evidence from the Philippines” (Mapa & Bersales); and “Physical Activity, Energy Requirements and Adequacy of Dietary Macro- and Micronutrient Intakes of Older Persons in a Rural Filipino Community” (Resonar et al).

The National Academy of Science and Technology 31st Annual Scientific Meeting is sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Office of Senator Edgardo Angara, Institute of Human Genetics – NIH-UP Manila, Centro Escolar University, United Laboratories, Inc., Omnibus Biomedical Systems, Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development, Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, Ateneo de Manila University, Philrice, and DLSU.

For more information, contact the National Academy of Science and Technology at (632) 838-7739, 838-7766, 838-7792, email secretariat@nast.ph, nast@dost.gov.ph, or visit their website at http://www.nast.ph/.

Religious and Academic Books Went on Sale at Philippine Academic Book Fair

Numerous religious and academic books were sold at fair prices during the 13th Philippine Academic Book Fair held last June 23 to 27, 2009 at the SM Megatrade Hall I, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Organized by the Academic Booksellers Association of the Philippines (ABAP), this year’s book fair carried the theme “The Filipino Booksellers: Responding To Academic and Information Needs In The Midst Of Global Challenges”.

Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU) and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) President Atty. Adel Tamano, and University of the Philippines – Diliman Head University Librarian Prof. Salvacion Arlante led the ribbon cutting ceremony to signify the formal opening of the five day event.

Atty. Tamano talked about the importance of the reading culture today and how instrumental the booksellers are to address this issue. Meanwhile, Prof. Arlante shared about the UP Library experience with booksellers and how they have bridged the needs of the Library. ABAP President Mr. Lino Dagus briefly discuss the state of the Association and the book and publishing industry itself.

Filipino folk singer and composer Mr. Noel Cabangon also graced the occasion and serenaded the audience with his inspiring compositions.

This year’s fair featured 44 exhibitors in the book publishing and book selling. It became a perfect venue for librarians, students, professionals and book enthusiast and took advantage of purchasing new books sold at fair prices.

The 13th Philippine Academic Book Fair is co-organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc., and supported by the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education with the following media partners: St. Paul Libreria, 99.5RT, 101.1 Yes!FM, and NU107.

For more information about the event, contact Primetrade Asia, Inc., at (632) 896-0661, 896-0682, fax (632) 896-0695, email: bookfair@primetradeasia.com or visit their website at http://www.primetradeasia.com/