PINOY STILL ON THE GO

Filipino students win top prizes in Kaspersky Lab’s student conference on cybercrime in Hong Kong

 

Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content and threat management solutions, announced that students from the Philippines bested 12 other finalists from various countries in the recently concluded regional preliminary round of the Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific and Middle East, Africa (MEA) Cup2012, an annual event that brings together students and young professionals from around the world in a collaborative environment to present and discuss issues relating to cybercrime.

 

The research papers presented by team leaders 21-year old Joshua Arvin Lat and 19-year old Ranyel Bryan Maliwanag won the first and second prizes, respectively, at the conference held on March 14 to 16 at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU), a leading university in Asia in professional education and research.

 

Both Filipino students are from the University of the Philippines Department of Computer Science (UP-DCS). They said they carried out their researches at the department’s Computer Security Group.

 

 

 

Veniamin Ginodman, Kaspersky Lab head of educational programs management (left) poses with top prize winners Joshua Arvin Lat (center) and team member Rod Xavier Bondoc during the awarding ceremonies in Hong Kong. Not in photo is third team member Kevin Charles Atienza.

 

 

The top research paper written by Lat and his partners Kevin Charles Atienza and Rod Xavier Bondoc entitled “SOUL Sytem: Secure Online USB Login System,” recommended a secure online authentication system involving a two-factor authentication scheme using a password and an ordinary USB flash drive as a security token. The group took home US$1,500 in cash prize for their winning paper.

 

 

 

 

Veniamin Ginodman, Kaspersky Lab head of educational programs management (left) with second prize winners Ranyel Bryan Maliwanag and team mates Mariah Strella Indrinal and Marynyriene Silvestre during the awarding ceremonies in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Maliwanag and his team, composed of Mariah Strella Indrinal and Marynyriene Silvestre, created an application that uses voice recognition. Their research entitled, “Vox-Grid: A Mobile Voice Verification System,” which proposed a mobile voice verification system to improve the security of the username-password authentication scheme, won for the group a US$1,000 cash prize.

 

Third place winner was the research paper entitled “Mining Modules’ Dependencies for Malware Detection” by Masoud Narouei from the Shiraz University of Iran which won for him a cash prize of US$750.

 

This is the first time the Philippines joined the annual conference, which has this year’s theme of “IT Security for the Next Generation.”  

 

Their wins in the Asia Pacific and MEA Cup 2012 have earned for Lat and Maliwanag their respective spots to represent the Philippines in the 2012 Kaspersky International Cup of the IT Security Conference for Young Professionals to be held at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands on May 11-13, 2012. Kaspersky Lab is sponsoring the all-expense paid trip of the team leaders to the global round.

 

This time, they will be competing against the winners of the three other regional preliminary rounds held in America, Europe and Russia & Commonwealth of Independent States. Lat and Maliwanag as well as the other participants stand a chance to win the cash prize of 3,500 euros plus the opportunity of an internship at Kaspersky Lab or a visit to a professional Information Security conference together with the company's experts.

 

In the Hong Kong round, the research papers were presented and defended by Lat and Maliwanag to a panel of judges composed of experts from Kaspersky Lab as well as notable academicians and information technology experts from the United Kingdom, Australia and Hong Kong.

 

The undergraduate students from UP competed with tertiary and post-graduate students from the Asia Pacific, Middle East and African regions.

 

Selection was based on scientific and methodological level of work, the social importance of the topic presented, completeness, objectivity with collected information, as well as practical and innovation value in different areas ranging from technical, social, economic to legal topics.

 

“The quality of papers presented was of a very high standard with much thought and creativity having been put into the content,” said Veniamin Ginodman, Head of Educational Programs Management at Kaspersky Lab.

 

“Kaspersky Lab is committed to continue holding this student conference annually as a platform to engage in open discussion and knowledge-sharing to develop shared strategies and solutions to combat the relentless evolution of cyber threats. We hope that with more knowledge-building and sharing activities, the region will have an excellent youth brain trust when it comes to cyber security-related issues. Clearly, there is much potential here that has not been fully tapped yet,” he said.

 

A total of 52 papers were submitted to this year’s conference, five of which were from the Philippines. In Southeast Asia, only Malaysia and the Philippines made it to the Asia Pacific & MEA Cup 2012.

 

“This conference has again brought together the best from the Asia Pacific and MEA region with excellent support from internationally recognized academicians and analysts,” said Harry Cheung, Managing Director for Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific.

 

“The cyber world is youth-driven and the contribution of the young participants in furthering knowledge on cybercrime will significantly add to the body of work now available,” he said.

 

About Kaspersky Lab

 

Kaspersky Lab is the world's largest privately-held Internet Security company, providing comprehensive protection against all forms of IT threats such as viruses, spyware, hackers and spam. The company's products provide in-depth computer defense for more than 300 million systems around the globe, including home and mobile users, small and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises. Kaspersky technology is also incorporated inside the products and services of nearly 100 industry-leading IT, networking, communications and applications solution vendors.

For further information about the company, please visit http://www.kaspersky.com.

The Adversarial Media

There is no question about it; the media is always adversarial to the government. Government does not only mean public officials and the administration. Being adversarial to the government” means that the media is adversarial with everything that represent the government.

People say that the media is a watchdog; guardians of the public trust. The media is seen as the eyes, ears and voice of the common people.

The media plays a great role in influencing the people. What the media says, the people believe. It is therefore important that the media ensures the accuracy of whatever information it gives to the people because the media could make or break a nation.

The extent of the media’s power over the people is immeasurable. It influences not only the day to day life of every individual but it also influences policies and laws. Almost everything today is influenced or dictated by the media; from the clothes that people wear to the opinions that formulate. Everything is affected.

It is often said, and observed, that the media only reports the wrongdoings of the people in the government but not the good things that they have done. Perhaps it comes from the thought that the media, as watchdogs, exists to ensure that people in government do not abuse the power that they have. Or perhaps it also comes from the thought that to do well and to serve the people are the duties of the government and is not therefore needed to be published.


Observing the effects of what the people see in TV, hear in radios and read in newspapers (or the internet).

The people have lost its trust to the government and everything that represents it and the media has played a major role in this.

Considering it as a mistake that the media is always against the government. Yes, it's a mistake that media reportage only often covers the offenses made by the government. Why? Because this kind of reportage is actually dividing the nation. Its sets the people against their leaders; it creates despair and hopelessness, it breeds distrust.

Yes, the media exposes the shortcomings of the people elected to serve and lead the Filipino nation yet it also inadvertently paints an image of a government that could never do right for the people it promises to serve and protect. The constant beatings that the government gets from the media makes the people think that people in the government sits all day and does not do anything good at all.

Eliminate government-media. Photo courtesy: Google images

 

In a way, media have poisoned the minds of the people. In a way, it caused the division of the Filipino nation. Media are the reason why the people refused to acknowledge the good things that the government has done because what they always see are the transgressions committed by public officials and government employees.

The media of course aims to ensure that the people are updated with whatever matter is happening in the government, especially matters of great public concern. By making the people aware of what is happening in the government and the society media make the people vigilant with their rights.

Media aim well. But in their attempt to fulfill their duties as vanguards they forget that what the people often see is more important than what the truth really is.

It is true that the government and its people commits a lot of transgressions but it is also true that the government has also done good things for the people. But only a very few of these things are made known to the public.

Maybe it is too late to change everything now. But then again, maybe it’s not. Maybe media can still make a difference. Maybe media can still do something about this.

Then again, only time can tell.

Interview with Marcelo Santos III

Who couldn't have known Marcelo Santos III and his famous love stories

Pensheet team had an opportunity to interview our fellow blogger and PUPian Marcelo Santos III last week and chitchat goes..

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

-       I’m Marcelo Santos III, 21 years old. Advertising graduate from PUP Sta. Mesa.

 How you first got involved in with blogging? And what interest you unto it?

-       Nung third year college ako. It was on Dec. 2009. Wala lang. Naisipan ko lang ishare yung mga ideas ko online, kasi doon maraming tao. Sa internet na yung focus ng mga tao ngayon. Pero yung pagsusulat ko, nagstart siya nung highschool pa lang ako. More on tula at short stories yung ginagawa ko at yung genre ay more on humorous.

What do you find most challenging about blogging about your topic?

-       Ang challenging part sa akin ay yung magiging perception ng tao tungkol sa mga stories na gagawin ko, kung paano ko tignan yung bawat sides ng love stories.

What inspire you to write stories?

-       Ito ang pinakamahirap na tanong na laging tinatanong sa akin tuwing may mga mag-iinterview sa akin. Minsan kasi nakukuha ko yung inspirasyon sa mga simpleng bagay: mga payo ng kaibigan o ng ibang tao, mga kwento nila, mga taong nag-aabang ng gagawin ko pa. Mahal ko kasi talaga ang pagsusulat kaya siguro kahit anong bagay o pangyayari ay nagiging inspirasyon para sa akin.

 Tell me about some of the people you’ve met while working on your blog?

-       Marami na rin akong nakikilala dahil sa paggawa ko ng mga blogs ko, mga taong nagkukwento ng mga love stories nila. May isa pang mambabasa na inaya pa ako makipagkita sa kanya kasi natutuwa siya sa mga ginagawa ko. May mga teachers din na nagmemessage sa akin na ginagamit nila yung gawa ko sa mga lessons nila. May mga nakilala rin ako sa ibat ibang lugar tulad sa Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Baguio, Palawaan, karamihan sa kanila ay mga estudyanteng nagbabasa ng blogs ko. May mga artista din na nakilala ko dahil sa paggawa ko ng blogs tulad nina Sam Concepcion, Gerald Santos at iba pang personalidad tulad nina Kimpoy at Jamich.

How would (someone) describe your blogging style?

-       Kakaiba daw yung style ko dahil para lang daw akong nakikipag-usap sa kanila. Kakaiba dahil nag-integrate ako ng tatlong elements sa blogging – music, video and the stories itself.

What do you do when you aren’t working on your blog?

-       Nanonood ng mga pelikula, nag-iinternet, kumakausap ng mga tao para makakuha ng inspirasyon.

Are you a full time blogger? How did you get into blogging and why?

-       Hindi po ako full time blogger. Pero maraming time pa rin ang na-spend ko sa pagsusulat.

 What networking do you do that you feel helps your blogging business?

-       Ginamit ko ang Facebook para ishare sa mga tao ang mga nagawa ko. Dahil alam kong halos lahat may facebook kaya mas marami ang mari-reach ng blog ko. Gumagamit din ako ng ibang social networking sites like twitter tumblr and youtube.

 How do you keep coming up with material/content for your blog? Many people struggle with coming up with different articles/posts and they only have one blog.. Whats your strategy with your blog in general?

-       Sa genre ko kasing LOVE, maraming pwedeng maging blog entry. Minsan kumakausap ako ng mga tao para sa mga susunod ko pang blog. Kumbaga, marami akong sources for blog.

 What would you prioritize? Content?? Readers?

-       Siguro yung content. Kasi kung ano ang laman ng blog ko, ayun ako. Nirerepresent niya ang utak at paniniwala ko.

 What’s the best thing a blogger can give to his readers?

-       Inspiration. Siguro ayun na yung maaring mabigay ng isang blogger tulad ko sa mga mambabasa niya.

A lot of people are interested in blogging for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from blogging? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

-       Siguro, dapat  yung blog nila ay interesting. Yung tipong maraming tao ang magvivisit ng blog nila dahil doon magbabase ang earning. May mga bloggers din na nagpapabayad para gumawa ng review for a certain product or services. Siguro, they need to advertise theirselves para makita o makilala ng iba pang clients.

What has been your strategy for creating visibility to yourself and your blog?

-       Thru networking. More on advertising.

What was the most challenging moment in your blog content development process and why?
Everyone has a favorite/least favorite post. Name yours and why?

-       Minsan nararansan natin yung writer’s block. Yung wala tayong masulat. Dun ako nahihirapan. Favorite post: Wishlist Series. Mas marami kasing taong nagandahan sa istorya. At malapits a puso ko yung istorya dahil inspired yun sa mga taong malapit sa akin

 What’s your take on sponsored reviews?

-       Ok lang naman. Pero minsan, hindi nakikita yung negative sides ng isang nagpapareview (kasi nga more on positive reviews dapat) nagiging biased pagdating sa part ng readers.

 If someone was interested in blogging, what would be a few things you would suggest?

-       Wag silang titigil. Minsan kasi dadating yung point na parang walang nagbabasa o pumapansin sa mga gawa mo. Patience lang. Wag mong ipressure yung sarili mo makagawa ng isang blog. Take time.

Arnold Clavio is a racist, says Azkals' fans

Arnold Clavio, one of the anchorman of GMA News Channel made a remarkable statement regarding the Philippine Azkals during one of the station’s show.

The comments made by Arnold Clavio have already gone viral in different social media sites. After the Philippines defeated its rival Tajikistan for the second semi-finals berth in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup, Arnold Clavio became Twitter Trending topics in the Philippines.

During the show Arnold Clavio clearly stated some words that got the attention of its viewers regarding the Philippine Azkals players.

Harsh comments were already posted on Facebook and Twitter regarding the comments of Arnold Clavio.


Meanwhile here’s the video of Arnold Clavio’s comments regarding the Philippine Azkals. It’s up to you to decide, whether Arnold Clavio made a racist statement or not. Just take time to add your comments below regarding the comments of Arnold Clavio.


Note: The Philippine Azkals topic is at around 3 minutes after the other reports. Take note Clavio’s comments at around 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

Judging people because of one single thing he did or did not do is idiotic. You don't even know if the person really wants to do it or not or whatever it is that's running in his mind that time. Again, he might only be doing what he thinks is best for the people around him.

Sometimes, a person acts the way he thinks best at the time. Sometimes, a person says things that he may or may not mean. Sometimes people doesn't really want to do what they are doing but they do it anyway because they think its best. 


A single incident is not enough to say that a person is worthless or angelic. A single incident is not enough to tell you who the person really is.


Actions and behaviors are always affected by a lot of things, by a lot of factors. Psychological, emotional, mental---all these affects our way of thinking and the way we react on matters.


Some people can be downright nasty but you can never really be sure if they are what they are. Some may project a persona entirely different from who they really are. How sure are you that the person you admire the most for his exemplary characteristic is not somebody who suffers from intense inferiority complex? How sure are you that the group clown is not suffering from depressions and crying on his own? 


Sometimes people would opt to kill themselves because the people around them refuse to see the other facets of their life; refuse to peel the surface and get past the mask. To be stereotypical categorized is the worst thing that could happen to anybody. It could damage everything. 

Charice's new Tattoo and Hairstyle.

Is this for real? Charice flaunts her blonde hair? Got tats on her left forearm?

A lot of people were stunned over, as she reinvents herself. But why does she change herself?

The 19-year-old singer is also sporting a tattoo that says "Love Eternally." In between the two words, an Infinity sign has been inked on Charice's left forearm.

The YouTube singing sensation says that she did these changes since she wants her image to be more like Avril Lavigne or Rihanna.

During her press conference held yesterday, March 8, at the Marriott Hotel, Charice told select members of the media: "I know some people are more used to the old Charice, sa ballad singer with the pigtails.

 "For me, in my heart, I've always wanted to be more edgy, rock, more [on the] dark side.

"I'm really happy and this is a big deal for me 'coz finally, nararating ko ang mga gusto ko.

"I know some people think that this is very rebellious but it's not. It's just me evolving.

"It's me transforming into another person that is totally me."

Since she has achieved so much in the entertainment scene, both here and abroad, Charice is aware that she is considered to be a role model for a lot of young people.

She says, "I know may mga tao na nagsasabing ako ang inspirasyon nila.

"Ang gusto ko lang sabihin, magbago man ang looks ko, yung attitude is still the same."

The singer reveals that the people managing there are two differing opinions being considered for her image.

"Yung ibang people sa management, gusto nila yung look ko parang Selena Gomez.

"The other one, they want me to be more like Avril Lavigne, which is what I like. Or more like Rihanna.

"That's what I like. That's what we're trying to do."

She reveals that she got her tattoo in Singapore just recently.

"I think everybody's shocked.

"This is such a huge step for me and I love it.

"This is me. This is who I am.
"I just don't want to stay a person that I don't like... I've been thinking about it for years and years.

"This is a dream come true for me."

When she was asked to explain why she chose to have the words "Love Eternally" inked on her left forearm, Charice says: "It's not just a tattoo. It has a meaning for me.

"The tattoo says 'love eternally' and it has an infinity sign. It's for my love for the people, love for my dad, love for everybody, love for my family.

"So, every time I do something, I always have a reason."

What was her mom, Mommy Raquel's reaction when she saw the tattoo?
"Of course, she freaked out!" says Charice.

Did the death of her father push herself to do this daring move?

"Of course, minsan naiisip ko pa rin because it's very tragic.

"Everyday, I wake up in the morning, I just move one.

"One of the songs in the concert, I dedicate it to him."

A lot of people critized her saying that she looks like a lesbian.

Charice answered: "Why would you ask me that question? I think that's a very inappropriate question.

"For me, just love me. I'm a person.
"If you think I'm a boy or a girl or if I look like a boy, then fine. I'm Charice."
What if people think she is a lesbian because of her new look?

"I know what people think... I don't care," says Charice.

"This is the look that I want. The only thing that you can do is move on."

Education and Juan de la Cruz

Education, as they say, is the great equalizer. It is an avenue where the rich and the poor, big and small become equal. The words of the wise tells us that education is our key to success; the poor man’s passport to a prosperous life.

Education has always played a significant part in the Filipino culture. It has always been inculcated in every Juan de la Cruz that education is an important tool to success. It is always believed that the higher the educational attainment, the more likely that the person would become successful. As a result, parents are willing to sacrifice everything to send a child to the best school they could afford to pay and students strive hard to attain a degree.

In recent years, the soaring cost of education has caused a lot of students to drop-out of school and work instead. As a result, what was once a right enjoyed by every Filipino has now become a privilege, wherein only those who can afford to support a college education or were lucky enough to get a scholarship could get a degree.

The government may not consider it a crisis but the sky-rocketing prices of goods and basic commodities means calamity to the poor Juan de la Cruz who depends everything on his meager income. Like a domino effect, these increases affects all sectors in the society–including the educational sector. With every increase, Juan de la Cruz allots less and less amount for education as he has to prioritize his family’s basic needs more than the schooling of his children.

As this predicament slowly eats the sanity of every Filipino, more and more students opt to stop schooling and choose to work instead. Instead of working to get a degree, these students are now working, oftentimes, in call centers or any other companies who would accept undergraduates in their company.

We cannot blame these students for opting to work because some of them were not given the option to choose otherwise; they have to help support their families especially that their household income is no longer enough to support the entire family. This is a trend that will persist as the economy continues to decline.

No matter how many times the government insists that the economy of the country is growing, it will be hard for ordinary Filipinos to believe it because they are experiencing the exact opposite of this so-called development. Juan de la Cruz is suffering and this is evident in various aspects of his life.

What is more painful is the fact that despite the increase in prices of almost everything—from rice, to fuel, to fare—wages remain the same. “Tightening the belt,” is what every Filipinos reaction to the surge of increases that suddenly made its way into their budgets. This tightening would mean cutting off any important-but-not-urgent expenses in the family budget. Oftentimes, the family would choose to sacrifice the schooling of the children, especially those in college, to minimize expenses.

Although some would argue that getting a degree is not really the basis for success, it would still be practical to have a degree. In a world where competition is fierce, your degree serves as your weapon. Yes, having the skill and the experience is a plus but having a degree is a bonus that could secure your way to the top.

The education sector is just one among the many victims of the declining economy. As prices continue to soar, the value given to education continues to diminish. Ordinary citizens, such as us, do not really have control over the economy and the policies that governs it. We can only voice our opinion, complain and hope that the people in power would hear our tiny voices and do something about it.

Photo courtesy: www.facebook/pup

 

But is this enough? Probably not; activists has been protesting in the streets for so long now and things are still the same. What the country needs right now is cooperation between the government and the people. The Filipino people have already proved to the world that they can overcome even the hardest hurdles when they are united. This is what the country desperately needs right now, unity against poverty.
No matter how big the problem is, the Philippines and Juan de la Cruz will survive if everybody will cooperate and act as one in the fight against poverty and the root of all these problems—corruption. As citizens of this country, we have to do something now because if the economy of our country continues to decline, education—which has become a privilege to the rich—will no longer be an option to the poor.

13 Things Your Butcher Won’t Tell You

Butchers share their secrets, tips, and what's in your meat.

 By Michelle CrouchAugust 2010 | Reader's Digest August 2010

 1. Don’t be fooled by supermarket brand names like Butcher’s Brand, Rancher’s Reserve, and Blue Ribbon. The label to look for is USDA Quality Grade. Prime is the best (and most expensive), followed by choice, select, then standard.

2. A big part of our job is window dressing. We flip brown meat over, cut off fat, and dab away blood that might turn you off.

3. Your beef may get ground in Iowa, stuffed in a long tube of plastic, and trucked to our store, where we regrind and package it.

4. Some companies pump carbon monoxide into packaging to keep the meat from turning brown.
5. Make sure you check the price per pound or per serving. The regular size is often cheaper than the family pack.

6. Why are you so wedded to the cut of beef your recipe calls for? We can suggest cheaper options.
7. My favorite cut? The hanging tender. Also known as a hanger steak or a bistro steak, it’s got great flavor at a good price.

8. Take the meat tray at the bottom of the stack or the farthest in back. Just like milk, it tends to be fresher.
9. Save $1.50 to $2 a pound on boneless pork chops. Buy a whole boneless pork loin roast and slice it into chops an inch thick.

10. Yes, that 92/8 ground beef is lean, but if you make burgers with it, you might be disappointed. Your favorite burger joint probably uses beef that’s much fattier.

11. Even if those chicken breasts say “100 percent natural,” they may still be injected with sodium-laden broth, salt water, or seaweed extract. Always check the label.

12. Some of the best tasting cuts are the ugliest ones, like the flap meat on the belly part of beef.

13. Ask me to help. Even if it’s already on a tray wrapped in cellophane, I can cut the fat off a roast, trim a flank steak into stir-fry strips, or grind up a chuck roast. Then I’ll neatly wrap it back up for you. All for no extra charge.




Sources: Butchers in New York City; Charlotte, North Carolina; San Francisco; Kingston, New York; and Timberville, Virginia; Lee O’Hara, author of Beef Secrets Straight from the Butcher; and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.