RESPONDING TO INDUSTRY 4.0: Education must evolve to meet future IT needs

January 8, 2020

THE United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) noted that education needs to shift towards filling in upcoming vacancies in fields of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as advancements in fields of science, engineering, and computing.

Meeting these demands require schools to better equip themselves to teach digital skills and students to deliberately prospect for this kind of knowledge. This should be done without forgetting strong literacy and numeracy skills, socio-emotional stability, critical and innovative thinking, complex problem solving, liberal arts and the ability to collaborate effectively with other talents. Combined, these skills and knowledge will come in handy for anyone to thrive in a connected digital economy and society.

“The young generation is stepping into an era where technology and innovation are the key drivers for growth. For them to become catalysts for change, we must teach them how to use digital tools in supporting the growth of intelligent enterprises in the country’s experience economy,” SAP Philippines Managing Director Edler Panlilio said as he listed some recommendations that will help both students and educational organizations to respond to the needs of Industry 4.0–this stage of economic prosperity powered by digitalization and the Internet.

1) Familiarize with digital tools to handle coding, data analytics, and IoT provides insights into its capabilities in building better systems. As personal skills improve, a more efficient IT professional evolves. Learning and using advanced software and digital platforms to improve the operations of businesses can help newbies start tackling big projects, such as the healthcare, banking, energy, sports, and entertainment sectors.

2) Taking advantage of available online resources can help build highly desirable software skills. This advanced knowledge and expertise would give a strong competitive edge towards building a professional career. Caveat, though. To gain the maximum benefits of learning these digital tools, investing in quality education that teaches and guides you about the tech industry is a must.

3) Invest in quality education not only equips students with the relevant skills needed in the new IT industry but also enhances creative, technical, and entrepreneurial mindset to shape society. In the Philippines, about 825 schools offer IT courses that can help you develop your digital skills. Enrolling in these programs allows for learning of the basics of the advanced knowledge of IT concepts and tools.

SAP UA is a global initiative that supports more than 3,700 institutes in 116 countries to incorporate the latest SAP technologies into teaching. In the Philippines, SAP has been collaborating with top universities like the Mapua Institute of Technology, Far Eastern University, University of Sto. Tomas, and AMA Computer University, among others.

“Educational institutions have a responsibility for molding the current and incoming generation’s potential through proper guidance and training. Collaborating with SAP has provided our students with the in-demand and relevant skills for them to be successful future innovative leaders in IT and tech industries,” said Ariel Kelly D. Balan, dean of the School of Information Technology at Mapúa University.

In a similar development, SAP has also conducted its Youth in ICT program in the last quarter of 2019. SAP PH taught at least 30 Grade 9 and 10 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) students in Panabo National High School in Davao del Norte the basics of coding, as well as giving them a view on choosing a career in ICT.

“Investing time on these worthwhile initiatives, touching the lives of students and other members of our society, and eventually, converting their situations into life-changing experiences is what we, at SAP, as a purpose-driven organization, is all about,” Panlilio concludes.

DoTr issues draft rules on child safety seats

Raymond G.B. Tribdino

December 17, 2019

THE long delayed implementation of Republic Act 11229, known also as a law which provides for the Special Protection of Child Passengers in Motor Vehicles will finally be passed as the draft implementing rules and regulations have been completed.

While the law will not take effect until a year after the IRR is approved and published, it is important to understand the spirit and content of the law, especially for current and future parents of young children who fall under the law’s regulations.

In summary the law prohibits children 150 centimeters (4’11”) or less in height, or 12 years of age, to sit in the front passenger seat. The law took into consideration the fact that an airbag that deploys in case of a frontal collision can kill a young occupant. It was not clarified in the IRR whether an exemption applies to vehicles without a front passenger airbag. No local law sets the mandatory use of front passenger airbags even though many vehicles now have the SRS systems as standard. The IRR also did not pay attention to the availability of a passenger airbag deactivation switch or trigger.

“This will be difficult for parents with babies and little children because they cannot see their child strapped in the back,” Rona Daluta, a mother of three and an privacy consultant commented. She recounts that when her youngest child was born, she would bring her two other children to school while the baby was strapped in a child restraint system in front in her car with the front airbag off.

“Having lived abroad for some time, I realized the value of child seats and restraining children too. The new IRR for the Philippines does is not flexible enough,” she added.

Globally, adoption of passenger airbag switches are used and many locally available vehicles, even mid-ranged prices ones have this feature. The United Nations actually allows the use of a rear-facing child seat in front for vehicles with airbag switches. This was not considered in the IRR directly. Since this is a draft implementation, it also called on civil society to contribute to its further development.

“How about owner type jeeps? These vehicles do not have proper seatbelt anchor points or even proper rear seats. Are they exempted from the rules?” Antonio Felix, a father of three, his youngest a three year old diagnosed with Down Syndrome. He said he asked this question because where he lives in Cavite, owner type jeepneys are the norm.

The rule was not clear about teenagers and adults under five feet tall sitting infront. This law is very specific to children, but if one considers the spirit of the law–individuals who are under the required height limit should be covered by it, though it is not necessary to sit on child seats or booster seats.

The IRR mandates that all child safety restraint systems be certified by the Bureau of Product Standards and marked with an Import Clearance Certificate. This will effectively remove all unsafe and old child seats the can be found in Japan surplus shops. Old child seats may suffer from plastic corrosion or deterioration or even frame malformation if recovered from a road crash.

The IRR does not have an approved list of child seats, instead it set guidelines following United Nations regulations No. 44 and No. 129. There are many child seats now available in the market, even those expensive American, European or Japanese marques that are UN approved and carry seals of safety from their respective countries transportation departments. The DTI-BPS is also tasked to periodically publish a list of brands that meet these regulations.

This is no guarantee that these child seats can be sold or will be legal for use in the Philippines if they do not carry the PS Mark License or ICC certificate prior to sale.

The establishment of an LTO Fitting Station is going to be a huge burden to the department and should be re-evaluated. Proper seat installation can be done with a mere YouTube video or the use of an installation manual.

“The letter of the law and its implementation should be subject to practical considerations,” lawyer Roy Marcelo commented. A father of two, he has been using car seats even long before it was a law. His children now all teenagers benefitted from the use of car seats.

“We had an accident in Baguio twelve years ago when my eldest son was only four years old. He was in the rear seat on a car seat. A van it us from behind and into the side of my SUV. It happened quickly and it could have been fatal if my sons were not on a child seat and a booster seat,” Marcelo narrated.

Aside from home-made vehicles like owner jeeps, public utility vehicles are also not covered by the law. Currently these PUVs are temporarily exempted. And no guidelines were included in the final draft IRR except that the DoTr will go into a deeper study that will determine the feasibility of CRS on PUVs.

That exclusion includes taxis and TNVS.

The DoTr should train parents on how to handle children sitting in booster seats.

“Kids who are used to just sitting in the back seats with no restraints whatsoever may find the transition to being restrained difficult. This is where training should be made,” comments Daluta.

Human ecologist Lourdes Tribdino said that parents don’t use child seats because it’s inconvenient. But with a law, they will take the inconvenience, but predicts parents will skirt the law whenever possible.

“On one hand, installing and removing seats is difficult. Child seats limits passenger load–in some instances effectively cutting down passenger space because of the size of the seats. Children, on the other hand, especially younger ones will complain, sometimes excessively, about being too tight, being hot, or not sitting with Mommy or Daddy or beside Kuya or Ate,” Tribdino said.

The main focus of this draft IRR requires the DTI-BPS to release technical regulations for child restraint certification within six months of the passage of the final IRR. It also specified the various penalties for violations of the law.

“In the U.S. stopping a car with children on board required a full training and certification session for law enforcers,” Tribdino said in reference to the application of ‘trauma-free’ apprehensions as provided by law. This rule indicates that driver of any vehicle carrying a kid not buckled up will be held liable and in no instance will an enforcer be allowed to hold the child so as not to cause trauma. The enforcer’s only job it to “ensure that child passengers are not subjected to any form of distress during the apprehension.”

“But the mere presence of a uniformed police man even just talking to the parent can cause trauma to the child,” she adds. In a report that appeared in Vera Files, PNP-HPG Police Supt. Oliver Tanseco was quoted as saying that law enforcers must be trained to ensure that children aren’t traumatized during apprehensions.

“When we started the Technical Working Group for the IRR, it was very clear, we should not traumatize the child,” he said in that report.

Toyota’s 5-continent tour passes through PH

Raymond G.B. Tribdino

December 10, 2019

TOYOTA Motor Philippines president Satoru Suzuki will end his 4-year term in the Philippines as the record-breaking “5 Continents Drive” passed thru the country.

During his term, Suzuki had successfully led TMPI through the bullish years starting 2014 and through the difficult post-TRAIN law times when automotive sales dipped up only to slowly pick up at the towards the end of the year with the CAMPI pegging its 10 percent growth for the year.

“We were able to enjoy the best of times and the worst of times during my stay in the Philippines. The introduction of many new models helped us keep our sales numbers afloat, but sales is not the only important activity at Toyota,” Suzuki said in an interview.

In line with the company’s commitment to make “ever-better cars” and its motivation to “bring something back” to society, TMPI is aligning its activities to the global “Start Your Impossible” campaign by highlighting real-life mobility stories of Olympic and Paralympic athletes as well as everyday athletes who demonstrate the values of humility, hard work and never giving up.

The campaign marks Toyota’s long-term commitment to support the creation of a more inclusive and sustainable society in which everyone can challenge their impossible through stories of determination as well as through Toyota technologies. The two creative pillars of the multi-platform global campaign include, “inspiration,” which celebrates the human spirit and product “evidence,” showcasing Toyota’s ideas for innovations that can help people move freely.

“Start Your Impossible, not only is for the Tokyo 2020 but also incorporates other CSR activities we are planning–this includes our realization as a company of our effect on the environment, and a conscious effort to be more conscious citizens–for example, do we plant a tree for every car we sell?” Elijah Marcial, VP for Marketing said as she explained the various Toyota campaigns.

The 5 Continents Drive aims to drive various Toyota vehicles in local communities, diverse terrains, and challenging environments which customers experience on the road on a daily basis.

Their motto: “Roads build people, and people build cars.”

Globally, the 5 Continents Drive started in 2014 in Australia, and has since travelled across North and Latin America, Europe, and Africa. The team started their Asia Drive this February 2019 in the Middle East and is slated to end in Japan in time for the milestone Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Towards the end of November, almost coinciding with Suzuki’s announcement to the TMPI community of the end of his term, the Philippine leg of the global project 5 Continents Drive commenced its journey through the country, ending its “Philippine Goal Event” at Toyota Manila Bay Corporation (TMBC). Officially launched in a send-off ceremony at TMP’s Santa Rosa, Laguna plant last November 19, the project brought 27 Toyota engineers and technical experts from TMC, TMP, Toyota Daihatsu Engineering and Manufacturing (TDEM), and Toyota Motor Asia Pacific (TMAP) to the roads of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Tarlac, La Union, Baguio, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales and back to Manila for a goal event at TMP’s dealership along Manila Bay. The 5 Continents 9-vehicle convoy for the Philippine drive is composed of the locally-assembled Vios and Innova, together with the Hilux, Corolla Altis Hybrid, Rush, Fortuner, and the RAV4.

“Toyota Motor Philippines is honored to be a part of the historic 5 Continents Drive, with our very own Team Members guiding the group as local experts. They will help the 5 Continents Drive team understand not only the local road conditions, but also the country’s transportation situation, and culture,” Suzuki said during the send-off ceremony. At the end of his term he proudly spoke of the various projects his company undertook, not as direct activities to increase sales, but to level up the awareness to mobility related challenges, which he said does not directly impact sales but rather increases the consciousness of most people.

As part of the preparations for the driving experience activity, the participants from Toyota’s Japan, Thailand and Singapore offices were taught local road rules and regulations, and briefed on local road traffic situation and safety reminders.

They were also exposed to the unique ways Filipinos are customizing transport solutions like the use of Toyota’s Hiace models as public utility vehicles locally known as UV Express.

A visit at Toyota’s Angeles dealership also helped the team gather more insights on the Philippine market in terms of transportation situation, culture, and relevance of vehicles to every Filipinos’ daily routine.

The 5 Continents Drive or 5C Drive is a Genchi Genbutsu project (literally translated to “go and see for yourself”). This Toyota Way philosophy encourages employees to go directly to the source to get the facts of a situation. The 5 Continents Drive is managed under Toyota Gazoo Racing, which also handles all of Toyota’s circuit and rally racing activities.

NPC hosts privacy conference

Raymond G.B. Tribdino

December 4, 2019

CEBU CITY, (December 3) — The National Privacy Commission hosted both the 52nd Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum and the Data Privacy Officers Accountability, Compliance and Ethics (DPO-ACE) program in Cebu City. Both events were designed to increase the country’s data privacy understanding and compliance through learning from experts and sharing of best practices among attendees.

The APPA Forum officially opened December 2 and will run until December 4 with privacy commissioners from 19 jurisdictions across the region convening in closed sessions. They will deliberate on emerging technology trends and threats that impact privacy, share best practices, explore new policy directions, and build institutional partnerships.

The DPO-ACE will run for a whole day, culminating with a series of knowledge evaluation sessions for data privacy officers seeking to get level 1 certification and accreditation. This certification allows the DPOs to capably understand the policies, and handle most requirements of the Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012. Certified DPOs will also able to provide proper privacy impact assessment, evaluate and amend, if needed, current privacy policies of companies they serve. They can provide the documentary evidence that can help defend companies or prosecute violators of privacy laws.

“Value in today’s data-driven world is created by building bridges and not walls. And that’s what we intend to accomplish today at the APPA Forum. To build bridges towards a future that is safe and progressive, which our children could immensely benefit from,” Raymund E. Liboro, Philippine Privacy Commissioner emphasized.

In a press conference that followed the first day of the APPA Forum, Liboro along with Michael McEvoy, Commissioner of the Information and Privacy Office of British Columbia in Canada and Stephen Kai-Yi Wong, Hong Kong’s privacy commissioner hailed the gains of the National Privacy Commission. Cited were efforts in the fields of privacy regulation implementation and implementation of the law that has helped safeguard Filipino’s individual rights and protect personal data.

“We would like to recognize the efforts of the Philippines, it being the youngest but also the most determined in implementing privacy regulations. We are impressed by the way it is leading the way towards getting your country into a more compliant and regulatory status with regards to privacy. I am particularly impressed by how it had been able to execute your privacy laws well, and in such a short time,” British Columbia Privacy Commissioner McEvoy said.

Recently, the NPC shut down 26 of 67 online lending firms reported to have had privacy violations of their subscribers. These online firms had violated the use of their data subject’s information by using emails and numbers of their contacts to embarrass them when borrowers using these platforms miss a payment. Other related violations include the unauthorized cross sharing of information for marketing purposes.

Hong Kong’s privacy commissioner Wong explained how technology is continually playing a role in the evolution of data privacy in the region. He pointed out how the APPA is a “technology neutral” organization, meaning that though current technologies like social media or ride sharing apps have changed the privacy ecosystem, the rights to privacy has not changed.

“Technology when the APPA started was much different from now. But the basis of the creation of this organization remains the same–the protection of individual’s rights to privacy–and this should not be affected by technology. But we have for many years recognized the rapid changes in technology to which we are creating the proper actions to respond to in a unified fashion,” Wong stressed.

In the morning session of the APPA Forum, reports from three working groups were shared.

Tackled were the Privacy Awareness Week (PAW) activities in 2019, plans for 2020 and other continuing communication initiatives. A report on the results of a survey on top breaches was also discussed as well as a survey on complaints handling.

Other reports discussed in mostly closed door sessions were about de-identification, open data, data sharing, data portability, information aspects of indigenous people, education and outreach activities, as well developments on key investigation and enforcement matters.

Delegations from 19 jurisdiction have joined the forum. They are, namely, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, Australia; Information and Privacy Commissioner (British Columbia); Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Canada; Deputy Superintendent for the Protection of Personal Data; Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (Hong Kong); Personal Information Protection Commission (Japan); Korea Internet Security Agency; Office of Personal Data Protection, Macao; National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Personal Data Protection, Mexico; Information and Privacy Commission, New South Wales; Office of the Privacy Commissioner, New Zealand; Office of the Northern Territory Information Commissioner; National Authority for Data Protection, Peru; Office of the Information Commissioner, Queensland; Personal Data Protection Commission, Singapore; Federal Trade Commission, United States; and the Office of the Victorian information Commissioner, Victoria.

This is the first time for the Philippines to host APPA, which is acknowledged as the principal forum for privacy and data protection authorities in the region.

WITH 1 million KILOMETERS ENGINE WARRANTY: Chery returns, brings in full crossover lineup

Raymond G.B. Tribdino

December 3, 2019

CHINESE car maker Chery comes back to the Philippines under a new company, Chery Auto Philippines, Inc. This is the brand’s second attempt in the market. It’s initial entry, in 2007 was a failure due to bad products and poor servicing. A resurrection of that attempt in 2009 introduced new models, helped improve after sales concerns and cleared out inventory.

However, lack of financial capabilities, high prices due to import duties and the lack of direct support from principals reduced the brand to dealer franchises by the end of 2016.

By 2017 even these self-supporting dealer franchises could no longer operate.

This latest comeback is already being seen as a gamechanger because the group that leads Foton Philippines as distributor and manufacturer, the United Asia Auto Group Inc. (UAAGI), will be managing the brand under a new company, Chery Auto Philippines.

“Now is the time for us to bring in a second automotive brand with a stronger Chery Auto line up that has the right mix of design, features, technology. Working with our group will now be the biggest difference about the brand. It is now the best time for Chery to establish itself again because we are ready with many new dealers who will invest and set-up dealerships by early to mid 2020,” Rommel Sytin, UAAGI president said in an interview following the launch of four new crossover vehicles.

The lineup of Chery models that will mark the initial reentry is composed of an all-crossover range. These are the Tiggo 2, Tiggo 5X, Tiggo 7, and the 7-seater Tiggo 8. All models are powered by modern 1.5-liter inline- 4 fuel-injected DOHC 16-valve Euro 5-compliant petrol engines with turbocharging for the larger Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 models. Both 5-speed manual transmissions or 6-speed automatics will be available.

As proof of its confidence, the brand will offer an unprecedented and industry-leading 10 years or 1 million kilometers powertrain warranty on top of a 5-year General Vehicle Warranty. Chery Auto Philippines is offering a 3-year free Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) to all buyers of its vehicles.

“I believe the conditions are right for the re-establishment of Chery in the Philippines. The vehicles are very good, and the current pricing of its product line will make a strong impact on the Philippine market,” Vince Licup, one of Chery Auto Philippines first dealers at this comeback stage told Malaya Business Insight.

“History and experience are the best teachers, and we have learned a lot from Foton’s success in the Philippine market as well as where previous efforts to market Chery have failed–and we have taken all that to heart,” Sytin shared.

When ask if the new Chery will service over thousands units of cars previously sold in the country, Sytin said “they will find a way, as long as parts are still available and training conducted.” He also explained that currently Foton dealers mostly formed the initial Chery dealer network, but he expects new ones will come. He also said that for now, the crossovers are a strong and growing market segment.

“We are excited to bring in Chery. The new cars possess all the brand values Filipinos now look for and we are convinced that the local market will warmly receive these latest models,” Sytin added.

Since it started production nearly 20 years ago, Chery has sold over 7.2 million vehicles in over 80 countries. It is also a leading manufacturer of hybrid and full electric vehicles, not just in China, but in the world. Last year it sold 750,000 units, an 11 percent growth compared to the previous year.

Prices for the new models are P695K for the Tiggo 2, P818K for the Tiggo 5X, P1.195M for the Tiggo 7, and P1.280M for the seven-seater Tiggo 8. The Chery dealership and service network will be announced soon.

Data privacy abuse, malware threats hound PH Android, online users

Raymond G.B. Tribdino

November 27, 2019

ABUSE of personal information and more sophisticated cyberattacks will affect more Filipinos by 2020. This, as the country also ranked third among Southeast Asian nations for Android malware attempts.

In two separate studies, one called “Advanced Persistent Threats in 2020” and statistical data compilation, from cybersecurity company Kaspersky, revealed these findings. For research on Android attacks, this ranking excludes countries with fewer than 25,000 active users over the reporting period.

Kaspersky researchers pointed out how the landscape of targeted attacks will change in the coming months. The overall trend shows that threats will grow in sophistication and become more targeted, diversifying under the influence of external factors, such as development and propagation of machine learning, technologies for “deepfakes” development, or tensions around trade routes between Asia and Europe.

The predictions were developed based on the changes that Global Research and Analysis Team witnessed over the 2019 to support cybersecurity community with some guidelines and insights to help industries prepare for the challenges that lie in the coming 12 months.

According to the cybersecurity company’s security experts, 98 percent of mobile malware are designed for the Android OS. This puts Android mobile users who use banking and shopping apps at high risk of downloading malware themselves without knowing it.

Kaspersky has been monitoring malware attempts against its users who use Android devices in SEA and found that malware attempts have been increasing. Banking and ransomware Trojans were the top malware detected in the region. Trojans are one of the most dangerous species in the malware world.

“We can see that attempts to infect Kaspersky mobile users year on year is quite going down in SEA and we attribute that to the growing awareness of the public about protecting their mobile data. The Philippines is hands-down an Android country and combined with the Filipinos’ very strong interest in digital activities, we understand why at number three overall in the region, Filipino Android users remain to be among cybercriminals’ targets,” Yeo Siang Tiong, general manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky said.

After a number of personal data leaks that happened in the past years, the number of personal details available made it easier for attackers to perform targeted attacks, based on victims leaked info. The bar has been raised, and in 2020 the threat actors will dive deeper, hunting for more sensitive leaks, such as biometric data.

Researchers pointed out a number of key technologies, which could lure victims of personal data abuse in the attackers’ traps, among them is publicly discussed video and audio Deep Fakes that can be automated and support profiling and creation of scams and social engineering schemes.

The sophistication of attacks is seen to increase and ingenious ways of invasions will be done. Among them are false flag attacks, ransomware, and data-based vector attacks.

As false flag attacks are seen to reach a whole new level, threat actors not only to avoid attribution but also to actively lay the blame on someone else. Commodity malware, scripts, publicly available security tools or administrator software, mixed with a couple of false flags, where security researchers are hungry for any small clue, might be enough to divert authorship to someone else.

Ransomware is seen to shift toward targeted threats with a potential twist being that, instead of making files unrecoverable, threat actors will threaten to publish data that they have stolen from the victim company.

Cyberattacks will be so sophisticated it will focus on trade routes between Asia and Europe.

There are several ways this could play out. They include a growth in political espionage as governments seek to secure their interests at home and abroad. It is likely to extend also to technological espionage in situations of potential or real economic crisis and resulting instability.

Personal information abuse will grow faster, armed with AI. It is very similar to some of the techniques discussed for driving election advertisements through social media. This technology is already in use and it is just a matter of time before some attackers take advantage of it.

“The future holds so many possibilities that there are likely to be things that are not included in our predictions. The extent and complexity of the environments in which attacks play out offer so many possibilities. In addition, no single threat research team has complete visibility of the operations of APT threat actors. We will continue to try and anticipate the activities of APT groups and understand the methods they employ, while providing insights into their campaigns and the impact they have,” says Vicente Diaz, security researcher at Kaspersky.

Kaspersky data shows that Filipino Android mobile users are targets of the Hiddapp mobile malware. This malware family uses advertising as its main monetization method. It secretly downloads ads on to the infected device, displaying as many ads as possible to the Android device user.

In 2018, Filipino Android users got a lot of the Dropper mobile malware family, which displays persistent ads and steals money through SMS subscriptions. The Dropper is designed to bypass detection and used by cybercriminals to wrap all sorts of payloads such as banking Trojans, ransomware and adware.

POLY LAUNCHED IN PH: Education seen as strong market for new Poly headsets

Raymond G.B. Tribdino

November 20, 2019

ONLINE education is one of the emerging markets seen by Poly executives for its new line of industrial strength headphones.

“There is definitely a big and growing need for robust, noise cancelling headphones in this emerging field of online education which is growing in the Philippines. The companies who hire Filipinos for this home-based or small-business undertaking require sophisticated equipment to ensure that quality service is delivered to their customers,” Enri Rodriguez,

Country Manager for Philippines said in a one-on-one interview. Rodriguez pointed out that though the new headphones are primarily targeted to the call center industry, there are other applications requiring such audio equipment.

Recently, Plantronics acquired Polycom and the new company, simply called Poly launched

its Philippine office last week. Plantronics created the headphones that declared man’s landing on the moon while Polycom is practically in every big boardroom across the world.

The merger of the two companies brought about a complimentary technology and product line up that increased the new company’s capabilities.

“When the two companies came together, no product was cancelled or taken out of the line-up. Our products were so complementary that we actually increased the offerings to our customers and combined instead of taken out our technologies to produce this new line up of headphones,” Samir Sayed, Managing Director, ASEAN and Korea, Poly said as he introduced the next generation of the company’s lineup of popular Savi8200 DECT headsets.

The two enterprise-grade headphones, the single headphone Savi 8210 and the stereo headset Savi 8220, were introduced to the media. Both lightweight but very robust audio pieces are equipped with active noise cancelling, multiple device connectivity, and offers diverse wearing styles to boost productivity.

“The noise cancelling technologies are very different, using four different microphones to chose the best audio signal to boost while cancelling out all other unwanted ambient sounds.

This proprietary technology is all found inside the headset,” Robert Tchia, Solution Architect explained as he demonstrated to noise-cancelling capabilities of the Savi8200 devices.

Poly’s expertise in enterprise-grade headset solutions enable maximum productivity, regardless of the type of work environment or the job at hand. Featuring close conversation limiting and automatic noise cancellation that means everyone on the call will hear only the person talking into the headset, without interfering background noise.

“You won’t hear roosters or tricycles passing by if you are a work-at-home person, or the noise of co-workers in the call center,” Rodriguez humors.

Savi headsets are great for “corridor warriors” who prefer (or need) to walk and talk while on a call. With a wireless office range of up to 180 feet (55 meters) and up to 590 feet (180 meters) when transmissions are line-of-sight.

The new line has variety of wearing styles to suit different preferences, with multi-device connectivity and easy call merging with support for desk phones, mobile devices and PCs.

They are also designed not to have a left and right position

Poly headsets are the only ones with an entire DECT portfolio certified for security by the DECT Forum, the international association of the wireless home and enterprise communication industry.

The headsets are compatible with Plantronics Manager Pro, a software that allows IT teams to manage the deployment of every product registered, including firmware updates and policy compliance.

New Isuzu Traviz breaks into light duty market

Raymond G.B. Tribdino

November 19, 2019

THE light duty truck market now has a new player as Isuzu Philippines Corporation launched Traviz, which will compete head on with the likes of the newly revived Mitsubishi L300 and recently uprated Hyundai H-100.

“We launched to anticipate a growing market need in the light duty truck segment. The Philippine economy continues to grow and there is renewed interest and brand new small trucks that can endure the heavy traffic and short distance hauling,” IPC President Hajime Koso said in a separate interview following the launch at the SMX Convention Center.

Traviz represents the term “transcend your business” meaning that the vehicle and its design was to be able to be quickly configured into many light duty truck applications. At the launch event, three truck body configurations were presented.

A passenger carrier, the high-side pick-up, refrigerated van and the base cab-and-chassis model were presented side by side, and in actual application. The pick-up variant for example had a payload of about 40, 5-gallon bottles of water in the back.

The Traviz uses Isuzu’s 2.5-liter 4JA1 BluePower direct-injection diesel. The engine outputs 78 PS at 3900 rpm and 176.5 Nm of torque at 1800 rpm and is Euro 4 compliant. A gated 5-speed manual gearbox is used to transmit power to the rear wheels suspended on heavy duty leaf springs. It is rated to carry up to 1.6 ton pay load the heaviest in the lightweight truck category and comes with a 3-year or 100,000 km warranty, whichever comes first.

Interiors have fabric seats and two three point seatbelts and a middle lapbelt, AM/FM radio with USB, Aux and SD slot as standard. The USB port is powered with 2 amps, 5V so it can charge too. Sounds are directed to a two-speaker sound system and air-conditioning is optional.

“The all-new Isuzu Traviz continues our tradition of providing not just reliable products but business solutions–reasons why, in the Philippines, Isuzu has been at the number-one spot for more than 19 years. The new Isuzu Travis will be the perfect companion for any kind of business,” Koso adds.

With key IPC officials, dealer representatives, and local motoring media in attendance, the Isuzu president also explained how the new truck answers the three most pressing and current customer needs, based on detailed market survey and IPC’s extensive on-the-ground experience in the country.

Koso said the Traviz is for big manufacturers, needing reliable trucks for their ‘last mile’ delivery of items to retail stores or door-to-door deliveries, for the increasing number of SMEs and upcoming business owners, and for transportation solutions including Class 1 PUVMP applications. It is ideal for use in food businesses, utility companies, and in cargo and logistics, in transport and delivery services, and in open load use in agriculture, construction, and equipment.

The Traviz is so named using the words “Transport, Trading, and Transcend” combined with the word “biz”, the shortened term for “business”. Its’ design concept combines the best qualities of Japan’s best-selling truck (hexapod design, fuel-efficiency, capacity, rigidity) with the flexibility and stability of Isuzu pickups in order to produce the two variants, Traviz S (Short wheelbase) and the Traviz L (Long wheelbase).

The new truck also offers marked advantages in many other important aspects, such as interior cab spaciousness, engine brake performance, maneuverability, and overall modern design, backed by strong aftersales support.

Its turning radius, at 4.5 meters, is the shortest in its class, helping drivers maneuver in tight spaces even while carrying heavier loads. The Traviz offers a wide cabin with better legroom, more ergonomic and comfortable–thus safer–driving position.

It is currently produced in Isuzu’s world-class assembly facilities in Indonesia, where it is called Traga and is enjoying up to 46 percent share of the market segment within a year of its introduction.

Hino jeepneys get DOTr certification

Raymond G.B. Tribdino

November 12, 2019

IT’S official. Hino Motors Philippines (HMP) entries to the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program have received their respective certificates of compliance from the Philippine National Standards (PNS).

“Hino has been part of the PUV Modernization Program since its planning stages and we will continue to actively support the initiative until it is fully realized. As we are one with the government’s aim of creating a safer, more comfortable public transport system for Filipinos,” HMP Chairman Vicente T. Mills Jr. said in reference to the fact that during the conceptualization stage of the program Hino engineers and planners were consulted.

Hino’s Eco Class modern PUV Class 2 and Class 3 variants were given approval for full production and selling after evaluations yielded full compliance to PNS specified body dimension measurement, passenger space, ingress and egress standards as well as additional functionalities for specific requirements by the local governments where the vehicles will be deployed.

These standards may include upgrades for innovation, comfort and security.

Aside from being fitted with Euro 4-compliant engines and having air-conditioning, all Hino PUVMPs in these two class variants have side-facing seats similar to the layout of traditional jeepneys and can accommodate a total of 26 passengers with 19 seated and 7 standing.

The Hino modern jeepney is inspired by and patterned after Hino HX small footprint city bus called “Poncho.” This was one of the vehicles presented to the media during the Hino Media Trip to the Hino headquarters in Japan.

“The Poncho is the inspiration for the local PUVMPs, and is seen as a “best fit” solution to the creation of the modern jeepney. Instead of starting from scratch, we already learned from designs built by our Japanese engineers. So in the area of bus chassis development, choice of engine, Hino Philippines was already ready,” Jek Sangel, Head of Sales and Marketing at HMP said as he explained how the craftsmanship and philosophy in the development of the modern jeepney, having been based on the Poncho model helped HMP achieve high levels of comfort and performance.

Part of the PNS compliance includes all the technical requirements set by the Bureau of Philippine Standards and feature a speed limiter, GPS, in-vehicle CCTV, electronic Beep card system and a dashboard-mounted camera to guarantee a safer and more convenient ride.

“Hino will not only be supplying PUV units to its partners and stakeholders but will also be assisting them through the entire transition from individual operators to organizational cooperative systems, even helping them with bank loan applications and aftersales training and fleet maintenance support,” Mills added.

Drawing from years of experience being the exclusive distributor of Hino trucks and buses in the country and the only local one-stop shop offering trucks and buses and services from engine to body to spare parts nationwide, HMP is confident the Class 2 and 3 Hino modern jeepneys will elevate the driving and commuting experience of every Filipino driver and passenger.

“Hino’s international reputation of creating vehicles of high quality and great value is the same foundation on which our modern PUV models are built on. We are positive that with our vehicles and our commitment to deliver Total Support, we will be able to contribute to creating a modern, safer and more sustainable transportation system in the Philippines,” Mitsuharu Tabata said as he congratulated his team for a job well done.

Hino has turned over close to 400 modern PUV units to various transport cooperatives in Metro Manila and provinces in the South and North. Anticipating rising demand for modern PUVs to increase in light of the modernization program, the company is boosting its manufacturing capability for modern jeepneys.

But what sets HMP apart is the commitment to the philosophy of Total Customer Support which has gained for the company the support and confidence of haulers, and transport cooperatives nationwide. This promise to provide 360-degree support to every driver, fleet owner, cooperative member and passenger has differentiated the company’s excellent products from others.

HYUNDAI SANTA FE: A fuel-efficient, luxurious, full-sized SUV

Raymond G.B. Tribdino

November 5, 2019

WITH a sticker price of over P2.5 million, Hyundai’s Santa Fe is in the mid-rung of the luxury SUV ladder beside such honchos as the Mazda CX-9 and the Ford Explorer.

Now, these plus-size people carriers have more or less the same features. Lots of space, big engines to lug around the extra weight, usually two more seats and other niceties like infotainment systems and powered this and that.

And at that price tag, these features are expected. Size alone does not elevate this level of SUV from the Fortuners and Monteros. It is a combination of MMA warrior and a beauty queen Q&A that makes the Santa Fe what it is. Decidedly bold. Ruggedly beautiful.

Surprising in many ways.

Our test drive began at BGC on a cold September afternoon. A downpour just drenched the city and the drive South was going to be slow and possibly slick. Glancing at the Santa Fe at Hyundai’s 5th floor garage, I am immediately stung by its bold styling–a sort of grown up Veloster or Kona. But I base this comment only on the fact that I drove both cars before this SUV, so the common design elements stuck in my head.

The “fluidity” design elements came clearly in this large canvas. The Veloster what the power spray version of the flowing lines. The Santa Fe was the calm lake.

Clearly, it was not designed for the sake of design alone. Having been exposed to how cars are designed, I can say that this one was thoughtful at the same time elegant. Not like clothes only for fashion’s sake. This one had form and function.

The engine is the same one found in the previous-generation model. The 2.2-liter turbodiesel that outputs 200 PS and 441 Nm of torque is all go. While I see no reason in having an eight-speed automatic transmission (thus, ten speed is for me totally bonkers) mating it to a front wheel drive only set up does give it more gears to play with. An all-wheel drive version would be the best pairing. But at least for now this front running gear can deliver the good quickly and effortlessly–even for the tall ascents in Mt. Robinson’s Galleria and Robinson’s Manila, where the parking inclines were like challenges in an urban off-road display.

The drivetrain comes with traction and stability control for free, a feature I was able to test because of circumstance.

That circumstance came at the entrance of the Susana Heights offramp, when a speeding light truck from the right lane darts into the third lane (used mostly by buses and trucks). I was on the second lane with cruise control on when the tall delivery truck comes into the third lane when another car takes the lane from the left to ease into the third lane, to position itself to enter the upcoming Petron station.

That move eases the truck out of his position, swapping lanes just about a car’s length infront of me.

I pressed the brakes and felt the ABS engage, looked to my sidemirrors for the open inner lane and move the Santa Fe, at speed, and in the wet. I could feel the traction control take over as I resume throttling the car to speed. The delivery truck slowed down on the second lane, and drove back to the third as the lane chopper–a relative, an Eon with a large deck spoiler–squirmed into the gas station.

A scary moment, made quite safe by the Santa Fe.

I enjoyed the feel of the leathery parts of the interior. It was a visual delight–all the big stitches, the brown and gray overlays, the supple materials with a tremendous array of soft points at just the right places. These G-spots in the interior make for what a luxury car is.

The armrests, the seat back, the bolsters that meet your arms are all cushiony without being too soft. Almost all the switches, are well located, and within reach, with the exception of the folding mirror switch, which was a tiny flicking thing.

There is, for the cable challenged, wireless mobile phone charging. I do not have an Apple or Samsung to test it with, but my son does, and it did keep his S10 happy. To add to the delight are four charging points for the passengers and one single button to flip the middle seat to get to the third bench–which by the way rivals the Everest and mu-X in seating position and capacity.

Now because I live in the distant South, my highway drives are about 60 percent of the way. In the travel the Santa Fe delivered a stunning 20 kilometers per liter on cruise control at 80 kilometers per hour. If I combine that with the inner city (not including Manila) I get about 10 kilometers per liter. In urban Manila however, stuck in 2 to 3 hour jams, 8 kilometers per liter is the estimate.

We can forget the boring traffic. The infotainment system includes everything needed to while the time away, including (if you are ready for it) plugging in a TV box. This I readied for my dear mother who was supposed to arrive at the time I had the car so she would not miss an episode of “Ang Probinsyano.” She delayed her return for a month.

The Santa Fe is large. Thus having 360 camera to manage seeing outside the car is a big help. There is no excuse to kiss the curbs and have small, hated dents around the car. It works flawlessly even at night or in the rain.

With the spicy performance, elegant interiors, seating for seven, loads of features and important safety equipment all in one package, the Santa Fe is a great family car. It is not a like-it, hate-it look. It is just all mature and composed, which is for many people of style and substance, more than just a good impression.

As for the price, well P2.538M is a lot.

Competitively at this price range, buyers look at image. And the Santa Fe has the image–it is an athletic, plus size people carrier that can muster attention and more than enough amenities to keep people who can afford the price tag, happy.

Will a panoramic sunroof and all-wheel drive perhaps, make them happier?

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