Thursday, January 26, 2017

Center for Possibilities Promotes Inclusion through the Arts



“I’m not blind, but I can’t always see,
  I’m not deaf but things could sounds strange to me
  I’m not trapped but it’s hard to feel free.
               Imagine what it’s like to be me.”

These are just an excerpts from the song “Through My Eyes” written by Ms. Valerie Foley. It is a creative description of what a person with autism actually experience. Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects a person’s communication and social skills. 

Samantha Kaspar - Visual Artist
The global population indicates that there are about 1 million people has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or simply Autism. However in the Philippines, as much as there are many medical societies are now involved in giving support to Filipinos with such disorder, proper diagnosis in many parts of the country limits our medical experts to present an accurate local statistics on cases of autism because of the lack of many poor families access to the basic health and medical treatment.

Ms. Dolores Cheng, Founder, Center Possibilities Foundation Inc.
The Center for Possibilities Foundation is a non-government organization that offers support to individuals and families which are directly affected with various disabilities. Part of their advocacy is the creation of Special Education (SPED) Centers in remote provinces to cater marginalized communities to address the needs of members of the community that has special disabilities. 

Samantha, working on another masterpiece...
Disability is what medical books would label people with autism. But many of them shares extra-ordinary talents even some ordinary people would find it difficult achieving. And one talented sweet girl is Samantha, a 19 year old virtuoso in visual arts. 

With her works ready for auction...
Samantha is a Swiss-Filipino and the only daughter of Chef Martin and Mitzi kaspar. At an early age she was diagnosed with Autism which limits her from going to regular schooling. However, her parents relentlessly sought her potentials through therapy and other form of special education and found that she has the ability to express her creativity through painting. Her art works have varied themes, with no central them tying them together. She gets inspiration from the things around her, from places she visited and things she have engaged with. 

Shoals and runners. Fabric painting 
Her gift in visual arts was given special attention when she and eight other artist from Fashion Arts Autism (FAAB) held an art exhibit entitled Chef’s Art and Hearts, where Samantha’s works were sold out in the event. More opportunities soon came when Samantha was given the invitation to feature her work in the up coming World Autism Awareness Day of the United Nation on April 3-7, 2017 in New York. From their, the works of Samantha will be featured in a fashion show organized by Autism Hearts Foundation, where in they will collaborate with Filipino designers (Patis Tesoro and Anthony Legarda); Samantha together with eight other artist will come up with the designs, which partner designers will subsequently translate into clothes. 

Manila Symphony Orchestra Conductor Prof. Arturo Molina
On January 28, 2017, the Center for Possibilities Foundation (CFP) will be organizing a back-to-back event at RCBC Plaza in Makati City at 5:30 in the afternoon, the self titles exhibit of Samantha kaspar and the proceeds of the art auction will be used to fund her trip to New York. And later in the evening, the Manila Symphony Orchestra will take center stage in a mini-concert featuring repertoire form the hits of John Williams and other great musical legends such as Beethoven, Mozart and Bach. The proceeds of the concert will go to the funding of SPED Centers created by Center for Possibilities Foundation. These initiatives are just some of the projects of the foundation to promote public awareness about Autism and how ordinary people can at least have a glimpse of how people like Samantha deal with such condition.

To know more about CFP, and how you can help its cause, you may reach them through http://centerfor possibilities.asia/ or (02) 723-1242 / (0918) 888-1759.




Tuesday, January 17, 2017

7-Eleven Run 2017 to be the Biggest and Most Exciting Race of the Series Yet

PRESS RELEASE:

Manila, Philippines – December 6, 2016 – From attracting serious runners to recreational walkers all over the country, 7-Eleven Philippines' hugely popular Run Series will once again take over Skyway and Filinvest City on February 5, 2017 for a day of fitness, family, freebies and all out fun.

The 7-Eleven Run Series has been gaining momentum since it started in 2013. With more than 12
thousand participants last year, Run 2017 promises to be the biggest and most exciting of the series yet! 

7-11 Run 2016 with its 12,000 runners...
Run 2017 will feature eight categories for runners to choose from. The 42KM, 21KM, 16KM, 10KM, and 10KM Buddy Run categories will see participants sweeping through Filinvest City and the Skyway, while the 5KM, 3KM and 500M Kids Run will be held along Filinvest City. 

21k runners...
Three winners in each category will be announced on the race day and will receive cash prizes and
medals. In addition to this, the top three Filipino males and females in the 42KM and 21KM categories will be sponsored by 7-Eleven Philippines to compete in an international marathon in Asia, all expenses paid. Finally, the top three organizations with the highest number of registrants will receive a special trophy.

Everyone love running at the Skyway...
Runners can also get a chance to earn free race kits through 7-Eleven’s CliQQ loyalty program. CliQQ app users and Every Day! Rewards cardholders can redeem a free race kit by earning Run e-Stamps. Run e-Stamps are earned with every P100 purchase of any participating item from the major sponsors. 

Runners finishing strong at the Finish line...
 Every purchase of a booster product also earns one additional e-Stamp. To redeem a free race kit to any race category , customers must earn 50 e-Stamps (except for 10K Buddy Run, where customers must earn 100 e-Stamps).  

Podium finishers...

 Registration is now open! Visit www.run711.com for more info. Registration is until January 18, 2017. Race Kits can be claimed on the date indicated on the receipt, from the same store where payment has been made. Aside from the exciting freebies that customers can look forward to on race day, all registrants of Run 2017 will also receive an Asics 20% discount voucher.

Be sure to follow the 7-Eleven Run Series Facebook Page(www.facebook.com/run711) for updates!
Runners can also join in on the conversation using the official hashtag, #711Run2017! 

7-Eleven Run 2017 is held in partnership with Skyway and Filinvest City, as well as event partners,
Connect, Mogu Mogu, Crimson Hotel, and exclusive sportswear partner, Asics.The event is also brought to you by Safeguard, Selecta, Pocari Sweat, Del Monte, Nature’s Spring, Dole, Powerade and Summit Water, and media partners Solar Sports, ETC, CNN Philippines, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, The Philippine Star, Summit Media, Hinge Inquirer Publishing, and ABS-CBN Publishing,

Friday, January 13, 2017

Kaspersky Lab presents new version of its flagship consumer security solution with enhanced data protection features

PRESS RELEASE:

Kaspersky Lab has presented the new version of its flagship security solution Kaspersky Internet Security, which provides users with additional opportunities to manage their Internet protection and to ensure their data safety. 


Kaspersky Internet Security is the security solution for the whole family; it protects Windows, Mac, and Android users against malware, dangerous sites, online tracking, fraud and money theft.

This year Kaspersky Lab products for Windows have integrated several new functions. Now users can protect their data from being intercepted during an unsafe Internet connection with the help of Secure Connection. In addition, they can patch potential "holes" in their device security with Software Updater and Software Cleaner.



"At Kaspersky Lab we believe that IT security is not only about the effectiveness of a security solution. It is also about the user’s own cyber savviness. Cyber savvy people behave carefully and watchfully online, and they are also ready to apply the latest technological achievements to protect what is most important for them – whether that’s personal information, files, privacy, their devices or peace of mind for their family members. We are striving to offer the user these possibilities with each new version of our solutions", commented Sylvia Ng, General Manager at Kaspersky Lab Southeast Asia.

Secure Connection

Secure Connection allows users to connect to the Internet safely, by encrypting all data sent and received through the network. This is especially important when performing financial operations, authorization on sites, or transferring confidential information, as in these cases traffic interception by a stranger could cause users serious (for example, financial) losses.

This function is especially useful while traveling, when many people are increasingly connecting to insecure Wi-Fi networks to stay in touch. 



According to the Kaspersky Lab study, every fifth (18%) user has fallen victim to cybercriminals when traveling. This is not surprising considering the fact that – what a coincidence! – one in five (18%) travelers does not take any steps to protect them online. Secure Connection is now a necessary protection measure when connecting to a public Wi-Fi.

The Kaspersky Lab protection component, Secure Connection, can be launched from the main window of Kaspersky Internet Security. It can also be activated automatically when the device is connected to public Wi-Fi or the user is inputting confidential information online, such as on banking websites, online stores, payment systems, e-mail, social networks, etc.

Within the security product’s license, users have 200 MB of encrypted traffic at their daily disposal, and for an additional monthly or annual fee they can get an unlimited volume of traffic.

Software Updater

One of the common methods of malware penetrating the computer is the use of errors (so-called vulnerabilities) in the programs installed on it. Developers regularly update their products, however not all users regularly update these on their devices.

Software Updater can automatically find the applications that need to be updated and, if the user agrees, install the latest versions from vendor sites on their computer. The user can also request the update of an application manually or add any of them to the list of applications that should not be updated (for example, if the older version is required).


Software Cleaner

According to the Kaspersky Lab study, 37% of users store programs that they do not use on their device. In addition to the fact that this overloads the device memory, it also provides extra opportunities for cybercriminals to penetrate the system.

Software Cleaner scans all applications installed on the computer and marks those posing potential risk. Users sometimes do not even know about these applications being installed on their devices or are unaware of their negative effects.

Software Cleaner will inform users of a program if it has been installed without their awareness or clear consent (for example, as additional software during the installation of another application), or if it slows down the user’s device, provides incomplete/incorrect information about its functions, operates in the background mode, shows banners and messages without permission (e.g., advertising), or is rarely used.

Upon receipt of a report from Software Cleaner, the user can either remove or leave the application in question.

In addition to the new functions, Kaspersky Internet Security has been enhanced with improved advanced technologies such as the multi-level protection of financial transactions (with Safe Money), the prevention of the installation of unwanted applications (with Application Manager, part of the former Change Control feature) and the blocking of advertising banners in the browser (with Anti-Banner).

“Filipinos are heavy mobile and internet users. Filipinos are also known as one of the most active social media users. Through social engineering or hacking of the human mind, careless and unaware Filipinos could be easy prey for cybercriminals. Kaspersky Lab Internet Security 2017 is equipped with new features designed to protect Filipinos and their devices. But more than installing an awesome security product on a device, being cyber savvy online matters the most. It is highly important to behave carefully online. Think security at all times,” adds Anthony Chua, Business Development Manager for the Philippines and Singapore at Kaspersky Lab Southeast Asia.

About Kaspersky Lab

Kaspersky Lab is a global cybersecurity company founded in 1997. Kaspersky Lab’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection and a number of specialized security solutions and services to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky Lab technologies and we help 270,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.

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