Local government units (LGUs) found it challenging to quickly provide relief to families affected by the quarantine. That is why several mayors in Metro Manila and nearby provinces have expressed their gratitude to companies that served as their partners at this time, including ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation’s “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig.”

“Private and public partnerships like what ABS-CBN does is a big help. We don’t know when this pandemic is going to end and the government can’t do it alone. In a month, we have plenty of families to feed,” Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian said in an interview with "TV Patrol."

Because of the quarantine extension, the funds of LGUs have been greatly affected, which is why mayors think of “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” as an answer to their problems.


Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto Rubiano said, “we have a budget, but it is not enough that is why we are so thankful. This is a great project of ABS-CBN because it can really help the local government extend its budget.”

As for Maragondon, Cavite Mayor Reynaldo Rillo, ABS-CBN’s simple act of giving relief packs is a way to show love and concern for Filipinos. “I am thankful to everyone who extended their help, to all those who showered us with love by giving us relief goods.”

Malolos, Bulacan Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian also said ABS-CBN made Filipino families felt that they are not alone in battling the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, “thank you ABS-CBN for your ‘Pantawid ng Pag-ibig’ program that made our kababayans feel like they are not alone in this battle.”

Meanwhile, donations to the network’s “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” program has reached P409,721,248 million. The funds raised are used to purchase food and basic necessities that are brought to the LGUs for repacking and distribution to their constituents. ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation are thankful to the leaders of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal for their trust and support for “Pantawid ng Pag-Ibig.”

Despite the crises we are facing, ABS-CBN will never get tired of serving Filipino families. ABS-CBN Foundation will continue to accept cash and in-kind donations as it continues to help provide food and basic necessities to Filipinos most affected by the global pandemic. People may donate via ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya bank accounts: BPI peso account 3051-11-55-88, Metrobank peso account 636-3-636-08808-1, PNB peso account 1263-7000-4128, BDO peso account 0039301-14199, at BDO dollar account 1039300-81622. They may also course donations through Cebuana Lhuillier, PayPal, Pass it Forward, and GCash.

It's going to be a dream come true for you because Shopee offers the Ultimate dream job for Gen Z - be a TikTok Star!

Shopee is looking for a content creator for their TikTok Channel and it's going to be a tough competition. But still, if you are very much obsessed with TikTok? Have you been following all the viral hashtags and trends on social media? If your answer is “yes” to these questions, then you may be just what Shopee is looking for!

In this role, you get the chance to create and produce engaging social media content from beginning to end. The best part? Not only will you get paid to do something you really enjoy doing, but you’ll also proudly represent the brand as one of the Faces of Shopee on TikTok!

Shopee wants bold and imaginative people to join their creative think tank. If you love being on camera and have the confidence to back it up, then this job is for you!

Interested candidates can paste a link of their most creative 30-second TikTok video on the comments section of the Shopee Career page. The clip should include why the candidates are the best person for this exciting role. Head over to Shopee Careers (https://careers.shopee.ph/job-detail/2952/) for more details.

Fans of Gabbi Garcia will surely get excited about tomorrow's live stream of OPPO. After the success of OPPO's concluded first of many ShOPPO Livestreams lined up that was led by Youtube sensation Mimiyuuuh and TV Host Robi Domingo last May 22. This week, everyone’s in for another treat as the shopping craze and exciting games with amazing prizes continue on the second ShOPPO livestream with Millennial It Girl Gabbi Garcia and Manila’s favorite event photographer Magic Liwanag. The second ShOPPO Livestream will be on May 29 from 4:00PM to 5:00PM via OPPO FB (fb.com/OPPOPH).

Learn, enjoy, and win prizes and discounts

Join Gabbi Garcia and Magic Liwanag as they share exclusive insights for your next social media photography and vlogging venture. Get tips and tricks as well on how to best enjoy your OPPO Reno3 through their personal demos of their favorite features.

Exciting games and freebies await for all viewers to enjoy when you join the livestream game, Wheel of OPPOrtune. In this game, the hosts will do a series of challenges related to the OPPO Reno3 series where viewers can participate. Each challenge can get you a chance to take home audiophile favorites - the OPPO Enco Q1 and OPPO Enco Free.

Greater deals in the extended #LiveItUp promo

OPPO is giving everyone another reason to be excited next month, as the deals and promos will be up until the end of June. Go right ahead and live it up with a quality smartphone that can get you through your days. Here are some of the #LiveItUp price drop promo’s great deals, for the best-selling OPPO A9 2020, A5s 3G, and Reno2 with up to Php3,000 savings:

A series:
- The A5S 3G is now priced at Php5,990 (previously at Php6,990).
- The A9 2020 is now priced at Php12,990 (previously at Php13,990).

Reno series:
- The Reno2 is now priced at Php25,990 (previously at Php28,990).

- The latest Reno3 priced at Php18,990 and the Reno3 Pro priced at Php28,990 come with a FREE Rockspace EB60 True Wireless Stereo Earbuds worth Php2,499 for every purchase. The special bundle is now extended until June 7.

Find series:
- The latest OPPO flagship offering Find X2 Pro is priced at Php65,990, and comes
with a FREE OPPO Enco Q1 worth Php 4,990.

The Big OPPO Sale runs until the end of June 2020 in all open OPPO Concept Stores and official dealer partners including e-commerce platform partners.

For more updates and a list of partner dealers, visit OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages via twitter.com/OPPOPhilippines, fb.com/OPPOPH/, and instagram.com/oppophilippines/.

After almost two months of being quarantined inside our house, I now have a new rival with my wife's attention. Aside from my kids, this South Korean heartthrob's shows and movies are now part of my wife's schedule. Yes, I'm talking about Hyun Bin, the lead actor of the Korean Drama series "Crash Landing On You" or CLOY. This guy has been the talk of every ladies, not probably all but most of the ladies that I know. His name has popped out on my social media walls before, especially during the peak of the series on Netflix.

The thought that almost all the ladies are head over heels with him will surely pique interest to know more the reasons why. The CLOY series has indeed won the hearts of its viewers because of its lead stars. Mesmerized, hypnotized, stupefied, or whatever you call that situation, the girls (even the boys) are becoming more than just a fan.

Now, and it's because of the hit series CLOY, Hyun Bin will be seen more often on billboards, commercials, and ads. Most probably will be visiting the Philippines soon, for the endorsement of a clothing brand named Bench. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic crises, fan meets, and other gatherings will probably be limited. We will wait and see what will happen next, whether the problem will escalate or gets better. But one thing is for sure he'll be endorsing the brand to the market.


So, here is a short and fair review of why the actor, Hyun Bin, is the right person for the brand.

• Bench is more relatively known for its serious good look, and Hyun Bin, based on his character in CLOY, represents a clean look of a military officer. Dignified, stern, and confident, that's how Hyun Bin plays the role of Captain Ri Jung Hyuk.
• Bench only picks the best, and Hyun Bin is one of the best South Korean actors, who happens to be the official Oppa of the Korean drama series CLOY. He has managed to move every human soul who has watched the series.
• One of Bench models that comes to mind when it is about clean, stern, powerful, and dominating aura, it's none other than Richard Gomez. Yes, I have thought that Hyun Bin is more likely of the same stand since they both have that manly look.
• Tall and broad shoulders are some of the qualities that are needed to project a quality fashion brand like Bench.
• Of course, the main feature or the primary requirement for a celebrity to endorse the brand is undeniably being a heartthrob and a hunk. And Hyun Bin has that features.

Of course, these are all my opinion based on Hyun Bin's portrayal of the character that he played. So, if you're a fan, I'm sure you know what I am trying to say here.


According to Bench's post on their Facebook page "Your Crush Landing Soon.", if he'll be trying to crash land here in the Philippines, let us hope that it is already safe and without COVID-19.

Just a few hours ago, while I was browsing my feed, one of the very unusual revelations happened today. A piece of news that will definitely make a 'kilig' moment, especially for the fans. When I saw the post, I remember one title of the book used in the movie 'Serendipity,' the title of the book was "Love in the Time of Cholera." It is a novel book created by a Colombian Nobel prize-winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It came to me and thought of a similar title to the book, 'Love in the Time of COVID-19.'

So, who's in love and who are the parties? Well, it's one of the hunk actors who go by the name, Sam Milby, and the other involved party is someone well-known in any part of the universe, none other than 2018 Miss Universe, Catriona Gray. Yes, these are the two persons who are the talk of the news today.

Looking at the Instagram post of Sam Milby, "Worth every second of the wait. Most special birthday yet ♥️." There is no direct description of the bloomed relationship, but the phrase gives a signal of success. And if you're to read some of the comments, it implies agreement to the slogan.

Though looking at the social media account of the other involved party, it seems that there's no similar post found. It's on another account, or she wants it to be in private rather than showcasing it to the world.


Love in the time of COVID-19, we all know that there are rumors and news that the guy is actually interested in the girl. He made it clear in one of the interviews that he had with the media. But still, he never confirms any name. So, how does this love grows when we are in the time of COVID-19, quarantined, and in lockdown? Well, there's no impossible when you're in love with somebody and take note that the two are in the same church. So the possibility of communicating is always there. Plus, there's your social media and the phone if ever they want to talk with each other. Nothing could stop them. Just like what Catriona mentioned in one of her interviews, which pertains to love life, "If it happens, it happens, I supposed." And so it happened.

• Cadet First Class Gemalyn Deocares Sugui from Echague, Isabela
• Cadet First Class Jade Villanueva from Tacloban City
• Cadet First Class Jefferson Salazar from Zamboanga City
• Cadet First Class Rotes Gaile Jamandre from Lamut, Ifugao
• Cadet First Class Jeb Bay-an from La Trinindad, Benguet
• Cadet First Class Catabay Ladyong from Tabuk, Kalinga
• Cadet First Class Vanelyn Angel Tabao from Tuguegarao City
• Cadet First Class June Giel Anne Factor from Piddig, Ilocos Norte
• Cadet First Class Rubenson Abgao Maliwanag from Baroy Lanao Del Norte
• Cadet First Class Dencel Aina Bayaca of Floridablanca, Pampanga

It's interesting that Kim Chiu fires back with something interesting for her fans and to everyone with the criticisms thrown at her for her viral classroom analogy statement and this is through her newest feel-good single “Bawal Lumabas (The Classroom Song)” released under Star POP.

“Okay lang magkamali. I learned my lesson. Now, let's celebrate!" Kim said on what message the track hopes to send out.

Over the past week, the Kapamilya actress’ statement in which she tried to compare the terms of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal to the rules in a classroom spawned various memes and even dance remixes.

Instead of sulking, however, she came up with this song, which admittedly pokes fun at her confusing statement in its chorus, but also embraces the blunder that she made as a learning experience in its entirety.
v It also promotes positivity by reminding listeners that when faced with a personal or social crisis, the only way to turn it around is to fully accept it, respect others’ opinions, and move forward as a better person who has learned his lesson.

A product of an accidental collaboration, the words, and music of “Bawal Lumabas (The Classroom Song)” was written by Kim, Adrian Crisanto, and Squammy Beats, with back-up vocals by Chir Cataran and vocal arrangement by ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo. Squammy Beats also mixed, mastered, and produced the song.

Kim’s new single follows “’Wag Kang Bumitaw,” an inspirational song that dropped a day after her birthday last April 19.

Don’t let your mistakes stop you from being a better version of yourself! Listen to Kim’s “Bawal Lumabas (The Classroom Song)” on ABS-CBN Star Music’s YouTube channel and Star Music’s Facebook page. For more details, like StarPOP PH on www.facebook.com/starpopph, and follow it on and Instagram (@starpopph). For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

"I have a dream, and I hope it will come true that you're here with me, and I am with you," oops, I'm not singing a song for you, but it's going to be more of my story, my dream travel. Have you dreamt of a scene where you always find yourself in a place not known to you? Or have you seen yourself walking in your dream vacation? Well, I have been dreaming that since I was a child, an instance where I go to different places. In other words, I travel.

Fortunately, little by little, that dream came true. I have been to places I never thought I would be. I'm very thankful to people who help me experience this travels. It's a great blessing to be there, and at the same time, it is excellent to experience first-hand learning. Now, I'm not only reading books but actually experiencing it and seeing it with my own eyes.

There are still more places that I want to see and explore. My childhood dream probably had accomplished a little bit near fifty percent. I still have a long way to go to complete that dream travels.


During my college days, one of the places that ring a bell to adventurous explorers like me is the island of Palawan. At that time, Palawan is well known for its forest preservation efforts. I was glad that our organization chose the island to be the beneficiary of our annual activity, the Lakbay Aral, Sanay, at Gabay sa Barangay. It's on this activity, where I learned the value of budgeting and getting all ways and means to accomplish the project.

When budgeting, always have a back-up plan, and that's where I learned it. The group's initial plan was a thrifty ride using the Philippine Air Force's C130 plane bound to Puerto Princesa. A week before the flight, we manage to secure our names in the manifest. Unfortunately, there was a priority operation that day, and we got bumped-off. Not backing off with our commitment, the group manages to pull some resources, and we end up traveling by a commercial ship bound to Puerto Princesa. The travel may not be as fast as through the sky, but it compensates with the scenic view and fresh wind breeze of the sea. We landed in the afternoon of the following day.

That was the first time I landed on the island of Palawan. I almost kiss the soil after the thought sink-in that I was there already.


Then, the work started by immersing in one of the local families. It's more of a community-driven purpose rather than leisure. Consider it as an official business, and leisure time is on a tight schedule. But they have this phrase or saying the "come back, come back spirit." They said that you are bound to come back again to the island.

Well, it seems that they are right because a few years after, I found myself getting my discounted plane ticket bound to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It may be natural to some people, but it seems mystical that destiny is fulfilling my dream to go back to the island where I missed a lot of places to visit during my first travel to Palawan.

It was less than an hour's flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa. The good thing here is that I have someone waiting for me. She's waiting to take me on my dream travel and to make it come true. The 'half' of my life that completes my whole being, my fiancee.

It's not wrong to go on a budget. It's one way of extending more of your resources to spend more time with that someone. And Puerto Princesa offers a lot of affordable things to do. The only problem at that time was you're limited to 36 shots of photos, but you can still enjoy the most of it. My fiancee and I did enjoy our time together. We did island hopping, spent some time at the beach, dined at some of the Puerto Princesa's famous and yet affordable restaurants, and of course, roamed around the city. The best part is that we had excellent accommodation to relax our tired souls. The experience was great, but it felt incomplete because of our limited time. I missed the opportunity to visit the Underground River, the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

After more than a decade, I still feel the spirit and the longing to complete my dream travel. Though the situation now is much more different, the dream is still there. But this time, I wanted to share that dream with my whole family. Especially now that keeping memories and moments aren't restricted to 36 shots anymore. We'll make sure to bring a gigabyte of data enough to store photographs and videos of our family. It will be another keepsake to cherish.

If I were always on a budget before, I think now and more than ever that I need to be more economical. Like what my kids would always ask, "Pasok ba sa budget?" So Palawan wait for us because our family will be there very very soon!

Next to this dream travel, the destination will be Tagaytay. After that devastating eruption of the Taal Volcano, I think it's about time to go back and admire the beauty of the place aside from the lake and the volcano. I'm sure there are hotels in Tagaytay that we can lodge in perfect for a family like ours.

#RedDoorzPH, #LetsTravelAgainSoon

Interesting news from one of the well-known artists in the music industry, Rico Blanco, who is by the way has finally dropped the official music video for his new solo single in four years.

With various footage taken here and abroad, the visuals for “This Too Shall Pass” take a closer look at how the pandemic has brought the entire world to a standstill.

Given the unprecedented uncertainty and challenges that COVID-19 poses, the video doubles as a tribute to the unsung heroes and frontliners leading the fight against an invisible enemy, showing us the true meaning of bayanihan in times of crisis.

Intercut with scenes of the “new normal” from around the globe, it also depicts the alt-rock icon performing the song at the confines of his home: devoid of flashy production designs and envelope-pushing concepts, but framed with an underlying message of resilience and hope.

Positive Reception
Two weeks earlier, “This Too Shall Pass” was released on all digital and streaming platforms worldwide under Sony Music.


The massive anthem has received critical acclaim from various publications in the country. MYX Philippines praised his work for giving listeners “a sense of reassurance, something we all need given the current situation.” Bandwagon Asia called the song an “ode to the light of the human spirit in dark times,” while GMA News described it as “a perfect source of inspiration.”

An Initiative for COVID-19 Response and Relief
To help fund the collective COVID-19 response in the Philippines, Rico Blanco is waiving his artist royalties for the music video of “This Too Shall Pass,” and Sony Music Philippines will be donating 100% of the global proceeds to www.puhon.ph for the first 6 months of release.

Puhon means “hopefully” in Visayan. The site contains inspiring stories and messages of encouragement to people at the frontline of fighting the pandemic.

Using the tagline #MakeHopeViral, to date, the site has raised P4.6M for personal protective equipment (PPEs) & nutrition support for frontline healthcare workers, COVID-19 testing kits, and relief goods for daily wage workers. Other SME Philippines artists with messages of support & encouragement on the site are SB19, Zelijah, Dionela, Nathan & Mercury, Alex Bruce, Ace Banzuelo & syd hartha.

The music video of Rico Blanco’s “This Too Shall Pass” is now out on YouTube.

ABS-CBN is stunned by the accusations raised while Congress was deliberating on House Bill 6732 – a proposal to grant a provisional franchise to ABS-CBN. The accusations have been asked and answered under oath by various government agencies as well as by ABS-CBN executives at the senate hearing last February 24.

In that hearing, the SEC, NTC, and BIR have all testified that ABS-CBN had no violations as it relates to their specific agency. DOLE Sec. Silvestre Bello also said in an interview that ABS-CBN is fully compliant of labor standards. While ABS-CBN acknowledged that there remain pending cases including those in court, ABS-CBN will abide by the decisions of the relevant authorities as decisions on these cases are made. Accusations as to the citizenship of Mr. Gabby Lopez were also answered under oath at the Senate. Finally, ABS-CBN has acknowledged the efforts of Congress in resolving their franchise application by issuing a statement of gratitude to Congress which was issued on May 13, 2020 – the same day that the bill was introduced in Congress.

The accusations were made without any evidence submitted and authenticated, and without the ability for ABS-CBN to reply. We assure our public and our employees that ABS-CBN will reply to these accusations in the proper forum.

This is really one interesting because after the massive hype surrounding 2gether: The Series, its official soundtrack featuring the music of Thai crossover sensation Scrubb, continues to dominate streaming platforms such as Spotify with an average of four to six entries a day on the Philippines Viral Top 50.

Their back catalog, which features previous hits, “ขอ (Wish),” “ทุกอย่าง (Everything),” “รอยยิ้ม (Smile),” and “ใกล้ (Close),” has consistently charted on the local digital and streaming services for more than a month. Its success in the Philippines and the Asian region is propelled by the publicity it received from the smash series, which currently airs on Thailand’s GMM 25 and Line TV, as well as the YouTube account of GMMTV.

“The author is one of our fans who started writing this story as an online fiction inspired by our songs,” recalls Scrubb’s Torpong “Ball” Chantabubpha on how their infectious set of melodic guitar pop tunes made its way to the Original Soundtrack (OST) of the Boys Love (BL) hit. “Then it got published as a book. Finally, the series came out, which encouraged more people to listen to our songs. We have to thank Jitti, the author, for putting our songs in the original story and making all of these things happen.”

Scrubb’s songs have somehow aided in championing a narrative that supports the unique romantic experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. Their involvement in the official soundtrack of a pop culture behemoth encourages visibility and representation in mainstream media, which has long shunned stories that go against societal norms. “As an artist, we have no specific audience,” shares Muey Thawatpon Wongbunsiri, the other half of Scrubb. “Our songs are our diaries. It’s a way for us to keep the good memories from that period of time. I think the listeners can also relate to the song as they face similar situation or atmosphere. We are happy when anyone can enjoy and get inspired by our song no matter who they are.”

Aside from their contribution to the 2gether soundtrack, the Smile duo has recently released their new single “ธรรมดา (Everyday)” earlier this year with a music video directed by prolific filmmaker Domu.

To date, the folk-pop duo has been receiving offers to play a number of shows abroad from international promoters. Ball adds, “Our plans to tour outside Thailand are forced to stop because of COVID-19 outbreak. At the moment we are writing, rehearsing, and preparing to be back on stage once again once this pandemic is finally over. We also hope that we’ll get a chance to be there and play for our fans in the Philippines soon.”

The songs from the official soundtrack of 2gether: The Series, which prominently feature the music of Scrubb, are now available on all digital and streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music.

We're still in ECQ, meaning we still have limited movements and space to go to. So, we are still confined to our own houses. Even though that there are many ways on how people are coping with the feelings of anxiety, depression, boredom, and other ill-effects of an extended enhanced community quarantine, we still do our best to overcome any situation.  But of course, there, still, some ways that are not good for us like, stress-eating.

While understandable, such a lifestyle may not be sustainable in the long run--especially if one has not been exercising. Unfortunately, most gyms and sports facilities won’t be opening anytime soon, so there is really no better way to shed-off excess fat than by adopting exercise habits at home.

Don’t know where to start? Here are simple and easy ways to get your body moving and getting it back into tip-top shape.


Start with simple activities

It would be unwise to instantly go through rigorous exercises and programs without priming your body to go through them. Activate and engage your body through simple activities such as cleaning the house while listening to upbeat music. You can also try meditating just to make sure that your mind is in harmony with your body.

Download Workout apps

The vivo app store has workout apps that contain plenty of programs and exercises. Try apps that include High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) programs where you do a series of repetitions continuously with minimal rest time. While these apps promote quick workouts that last less than 10 minutes, do not be fooled--you will feel like you just ran a marathon.

Head to Facebook for live workout videos

If motivation is what gets you going when it comes to workouts, try doing it together with other online users. Facebook pages of different gyms around the metro now offer both free and paid live online workout classes like yoga and shadow boxing that are sure to shed off a few “quarantine pounds”. If you’re not to keen on working out with strangers, you can always gather your friends for a video call workout session. Just make sure you actually work out and not end up having an “e-numan”--you can always do that at a different time.

Try Tik-Tok dance challenges

If conventional workout routines and exercises aren’t your thing, you can always try creating TikTok videos. Try engaging in a “dance workout” by trying out all the dance challenges created by users in the platform. You will actually sweat buckets trying to perfect the challenges over and over again.

These home-based exercise methods may not be the same as “maxing out” in the gym, but these are great ways to maintain an active lifestyle and fight off the urge to stress-eat during these unprecedented times.

All it takes are a few clicks. You can download the Facebook app and plenty of workout apps using the vivo app store, pre-installed in all vivo mobile devices.

Here's one interesting news that we can try to share with other people who might want to share their talents in creating a solution for our current situation. So, Read on the story and see if you can be one of the people who might shed light in one of our darkest hours.

The U.S. space agency National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are inviting coders, entrepreneurs, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, artists, and technologists to participate in a virtual hackathon May 30-31 dedicated to putting open data to work in developing solutions to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the global Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge, participants from around the world will create virtual teams that – during a 48-hour period – will use Earth observation data to propose solutions to COVID-19-related challenges ranging from studying the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and its spread to the impact the disease is having on the Earth system. Registration for this challenge opens in mid-May.

"There’s a tremendous need for our collective ingenuity right now," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. "I can’t imagine a more worthy focus than COVID-19 on which to direct the energy and enthusiasm from around the world with the Space Apps Challenge that always generates such amazing solutions."

The unique capabilities of NASA and its partner space agencies in the areas of science and technology enable them to lend a hand during this global crisis. Since the start of the global outbreak, Earth science specialists from each agency have been exploring ways to use unique Earth observation data to aid understanding of the interplay of the Earth system – on global to local scales – with aspects of the COVID-19 outbreak, including, potentially, our ability to combat it. The hackathon will also examine the human and economic response to the virus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_quOKBRJKs

ESA will contribute data from the Sentinel missions (Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and Sentinel-5P) in the context of the European Copernicus program, led by the European Commission, along with data from Third Party contributing Missions, with a focus on assessing the impact on climate change and greenhouse gases, as well as impacts on the economic sector. ESA also is contributing Earth observation experts for the selection of the competition winners and the artificial-intelligence-powered EuroDataCube.

"EuroDatacube will enable the best ideas to be scaled up to a global level," said Josef Aschbacher, Director of Earth Observation Programmes at ESA. "The pandemic crisis has a worldwide impact, therefore international cooperation and sharing of data and expertise with partners like NASA and JAXA seem the most suitable approach."

JAXA is making Earth-observing data available from its satellite missions, including ALOS-2, GOSAT, GOSAT-2, GCOM-C, GCOM-W, and GPM/DPR. "JAXA welcomes the opportunity to be part of the hackathon," said JAXA Vice President Terada Koji. "I believe the trilateral cooperation among ESA, NASA, and JAXA is important to demonstrate how Earth observation can support global efforts in combating this unprecedented challenge."

Space Apps is an international hackathon that takes place in cities around the world. Since 2012, teams have engaged with NASA's free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space. The COVID-19 Challenge will be the program’s first global virtual hackathon. Space Apps 2019 included more than 29,000 participants at 225 events in 71 countries, developing more than 2,000 hackathon solutions over the course of one weekend.

Pinoy developers used NASA's free and open data to solve real-world problems on Earth and space.

Many Filipinos participated in this annual hackathon since 2016. Recently, a dengue mapping forecasting system was developed by data scientists from CirroLytix using satellite and climate data with the goal of addressing the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. This web application, called Project AEDES won globally for the best use of data. "Earth observation data has the potential to be used in fighting epidemics and outbreaks threatening humanity nowadays, as well as to analyze its socio-economic impact," according to software developer Michael Lance M. Domagas, who led the Philippine hackathon in collaboration with De La Salle University, PLDT, Department of Science and Technology, United Nations Development Programme, and the U.S. embassy. The very first Philippine winner used citizen science and environmental data to develop a smartphone application informing fishermen the right time to catch fish. ISDApp is currently being incubated at Animo Labs.

Space Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized globally in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse. The next annual Space Apps Challenge is scheduled for October 2-4. Registration opens May 12. https://covid19.spaceappschallenge.org/

#SpaceApps #SpaceAppsPH

An icon and one of the pillars of the Philippine film industry, Maurice Ruiz de Luzuriaga Gallaga or commonly known as Peque Gallaga. A multi-awarded Filipino film-maker who has given pride to the film industry, his most significant achievement in the film was the movie "Oro, Plata, Mata."

Director Peque Gallaga created and co-directed many films that made the Philippine movie industry flourish. Some of his impressive works are "Oro, Plata, Mata" in 1982, the scary horror film "Shake, Rattle & Roll" (1984, 1990, and 1991), about the heroine "Darna: Ang Pagbabalik" shown in 1994, the movie "Batang X" in 1995, and another fantasy movie entitled "Magic Temple" premiered in 1996.

For sure, we will continue to remember him through his works and the films that he has created for all Pinoy movie enthusiasts. Farewell to an icon and a dream-maker.