Saturday, December 6, 2014

Sony New Alpha A7 II Stabilization Power

Sony Alpha A7 II
Sony’s excellent Alpha A7 series of full-frame mirrorless cameras has evolved a lot since its introduction a year ago. The original Alpha A7 and its higher-resolution sibling, the A7R, were announced last October. Both promised (and mostly delivered) a full-frame sensor and pro-DSLR performance in a smallish body. This summer, the A7S joined the party with its 4K video and ISO 409,600 capabilities.

Now there’s already a second-generation A7 for the series. The new Sony Alpha A7 II (Mark 2) has a magnesium alloy frame, and it keeps many of the same specs as the first-gen A7: A 24.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, shutter speeds of up to 1/8000 second, ISO that cranks up to 25,600, and all the Wi-Fi and NFC options we’ve come to expect on newfangled cameras. It also has the same hybrid autofocus system as its predecessor, encompassing a combined 142 phase- and contrast-detection points. Sony says that AF speed has improved by 30 percent over the original A7.

But this one borrows a great trait from Olympus’s OM-D and PEN cameras. The new Sony camera has a five-axis stabilization system built into it, and if it works anywhere near as well as the system found in Olympus’s cameras, it should make the second-gen A7 an attractive option for macro and telephoto shooters.

You’ll still have to splurge on the A7S to get 4K video capture, but the new Sony Alpha A7 II does use the higher-bitrate XAVC S codec that Sony has been rolling into its newer high-end cameras. Recording 1080p video at 60fps and 50Mbps—about twice the bitrate of the AVCHD video mode on the original A7—the A7 II should provide a nice uptick in the video-quality department. Keep in mind that previous Sony cameras have required a 64GB Class 10 SDXC card to record XAVC S video, so plan your storage-card purchases accordingly.

Like the first-generation A7, the new camera tops out at 5fps in burst mode, but this one is able to shoot at that speed with autofocus enabled. You’ll get a slightly higher-resolution tilting LCD screen on the back of it (1.2 million dots vs. 921,600 on the original A7), as well as the same 2.3-million-dot OLED eye-level viewfinder.

It’ll also have the same price as its predecessor. Starting today, the Sony Alpha A7 II is available for preorder as a a kit with a 28mm to 70mm E-mount lens. That price drops to $1,699 for the body only, and the cameras are set to ship on December 9. The original A7 will survive, and it’s now one hell of a bargain. Its new price is $1,300 for the body only and $1,600 as a kit—very low prices for a year-old full-frame camera.

BMW Exec Cited by TESDA

Joel Villanueva
MANILA, Philippines—The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) cited on Wednesday a luxury car manufacturing company executive for helping produce world-class automobile technicians.

Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva awarded BMW-Asia senior vice president for special projects Kay Segler with a special citation for his contribution to the country’s technical-vocational education and training (TVET).

In a simple ceremony held at the Tesda Women’s Center in Taguig City, Villanueva said that Segler’s contribution and invaluable support had provided world-class training for TVET trainees in automobile technology.

According to the Tesda chief, “Dr. Segler deserves the accolade for leading the way in involving BMW through its support for advanced training modules and providing access to the company’s innovations and technologies…[in producing] top-level technicians with competencies at par with international standards.”

Segler, who is in charge of expanding BMW operations in the Asian region, has come up with programs providing TVET to aspiring automotive mechanics and for being instrumental to the establishment of the Jose Ch. Alvarez (JCA) technology complex in 2012.

The JCA technology complex within the Xavier University compound in Cagayan de Oro City imparts BMW automotive technological innovations to Tesda students in Northern Mindanao.

Villanueva said that the training complex “adopts BMW’s standards to maximize the learning experience of the students in the automotive, computer, electronics and mechanical courses” which would keep their skills at par with automotive workers in other countries.

“We need more executives like Dr. Segler, a friend of tech-voc, who can harmonize business with social responsibility,” the Tesda director general concluded.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Mio Fuse Wristband Heart Rate Monitors

If you have not heard of Mio Global before, perhaps now is the time for you to sit up and pay attention to what they offer. Mio Global happens to be the manufacturers of the world’s first heart rate monitors that are capable of offering continuous, performance-accurate data without the need for a chest strap, and this time around, they have announced the availability for one to place a pre-order for the Mio FUSE. The Mio FUSE Wristband happens to be one unique activity tracker unlike others that we have seen before, since it will boast the functions of a heart rate monitor, sports watch, and all-day activity tracker, rolled into one.

Sporting a 0.99 correlation to EKG (electrocardiogram), the Mio FUSE would make its mark in the market as the most accurate wristband to provide heart rate, step count, distance, speed, pace, and calorie burn. Similar to the rest of the Mio products that are in the market, the FUSE will play nice with other devices such as smartphones, bike computers, GPS watches, and different sport devices.

The Mio FUSE Wristband works by transmitting heart rate data through Bluetooth Smart 4.0 and ANT+. It is different from the other sports devices in the market that remain tied to a closed manufacturer’s infrastructure, as the Mio FUSE wristband will be able to play nice with third-party apps, providing users with total and full control over how they can track, store, and review workout data.

Working in tandem with the Mio GO app, the Mio FUSE will allow users to set their heart rate zones, select preferred device settings, customize display screens, and automatically sync data. Not only that, users too can monitor their progress towards a daily step, distance, or calorie burn goal simply by checking their stats displayed on the device itself, or through the use of Mio GO. Expect the Mio FUSE to arrive in time for the holiday season, where it will boast of two sizes; and Crimson and Aqua colors to pick from.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

P91.3 M TESDA Calamity Rehab Allocation

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Western Visayas (Tesda) has allocated P91.3 million for emergency response, rehabilitation and recovery for 7,510 beneficiaries in 2014.

The amount will be spent for trainings of beneficiaries in several livelihood and entrepreneurial skills to help them recover and cope up from the destruction brought by calamities in the region.

Of the P91.3 million, P35.2 million will be given to Iloilo province (2,921 beneficiaries), P23.6 million will be given to Capiz (1,933 beneficiaries), P9.5 million will be allocated to Negros Occidental (784 beneficiaries), and P7.4 million will be given to Antique (607 beneficiaries).

The allocation will help train and rehabilitate the beneficiary-victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which devastated northern Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique last year.

Meanwhile, Tesda also has an allocation of P59.4 million this year for the special training for employment program (Step), which is in collaboration with the members of House of Representatives in 18 congressional districts in Western Visayas.

An estimated 4,356 beneficiaries in the region were expected to undergo training with the province of Negros Occidental, which has seven congressional districts receiving P23.1 million for 1,694 beneficiaries.

The province of Iloilo, which has six congressional districts, will have P19.8 million for 1,452 beneficiaries, while Capiz, which has two congressional districts, will have P6.6 million for 484 beneficiaries.

Aklan, which has a lone district, will have P3.3 million for 242 beneficiaries, while Antique with a lone district will get P3.3 million for 242 beneficiaries.

Guimaras, which has a lone district, will have P3.3 million for 242 beneficiaries.

Other Tesda training programs for 2014 in the region are training for work scholarship with an allocation of P73.9 million for 9,537 beneficiaries, and the private education student financial assistance with an allocation of P20.4 million for 2,941 beneficiaries.

Iloilo LGU Avail TESDA Scholarship Voucher

ILOILO CITY - Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Emmanuel Joel Villanueva turned over scholarship vouchers worth P3 million when he visited this city on Tuesday.

The scholarship vouchers were divided among the provincial government of Iloilo, city government of Iloilo and the municipality of Mina where they each got P1 million worth of vouchers under the agency’s Training for Work Scholarship Program.

Vice Governor Raul Tupas, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and former Mina Mayor Lydia Grabato received the vouchers from Villanueva in a simple ceremony held during the half time break of the Shoot for Your Dreams, an exhibition game between TEAM TRABAHO of the Secretary and TEAM SPECIALISTAS in Iloilo City.

For this year, out of the P73,902,000 allocation for the implementation of TWSP in Western Visayas some P21, 049, 189 were alloted for the province of Iloilo benefiting 2,806 grantees.

It will be recalled that an additional P1.4 billion was released by President Benigno Aquino in 2014 to augment TESDA funds for the TWSP.

In his short message, Villanueva assured that the administration of President Aquino continues to think, make and create ways to reach out to Filipinos and to have meaningful programs.

Through the SHOOT for your DREAMS, Villanueva wants to reach out especially to Filipino youth and let them know the various scholarships being offered by TESDA which they could avail of and will help them reach their dreams.

The exhibition game at the Iloilo Covered Gym was the first stop where Philippine Basketball Association’s former star players Alvin Patrimonio, Marlou Aquino, Jerry Cordinera, Bal David, Bobby Jose and Rodney Santos along with players from the local media joined Villanueva in TRABAHO TEAM.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

TESDA Free Assessment for OFW

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is inviting Overseas Filipino Workers, industry workers and instructors to their National Technical – Vocational Education and Training(TVET) Competency Assessment and Certification (NATCAC) set on May 12 to 16.

TESDA’s NATCAC is a national synchronized conduct of competency assessment and certification for free in identified demand.  It aims to expand client’s access to assessment and certification, and to strengthen the scale and popularity of the TESDA assessment and certification program through a purposive advocacy to raise people’s awareness of the program.

TESDA Information Officer Anthony “Guy” Oria, in an interview over PIA Hour radio, announced that interested individuals  may visit them at the TESDA Regional Office along Loakan Road here  or the TESDA provincial offices in the region.

In 2013, Oria reported that 2,814 availed of NATCAC  regionwide  and 2,678 of them were successfully certified. They were TVET graduates in the sector of agri-fishery and processed foods, automotive, construction, garments, health, social and other services; information and communication technology, land transport, metals and engineering, and tourism.

Oria also disclosed that aside from strengthening their TVET courses and curriculum, TESDA is set to bring-in higher level of education to its  agenda  such as level 3 (NC3), Level 4 (NC4) and Diploma courses (3 years duration), in line with the implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Program of the Department of Education and in pushing the competitiveness of the Filipino workforce for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015.

Oria explained  that TESDA’s National Certification NC 1 is for apprentice  while NC2 is for skilled workers that could help  workers  enter a job or be employed.

NC3 (supervisory level) and NC4 (managerial level) certifications  as well as TVET diploma courses will boost the competitiveness of our workforce, he said.

Summer Technical Vocational Studies

MANILA, Philippines - Instead of being idle this summer, the Technical Educational and Development Authority on Monday urged students to take up technical-vocational studies or training after finishing high school.

He also  called on the parents of high school graduates to encourage and support their children who want to get into tech-voc, saying that it would be a worthy investment.

"Many graduates look to college after high school and wait for the school year opening in June or August. Instead of spending idle months, they may enroll in a tech-voc course that interests them," TESDA director general Joel Villanueva said.

"I urge our youth to find the means to be productive. Being a tambay (idle) after high school is not totally cool," he added.

Villanueva said that this early, high school graduates should begin mapping out their career path, knowing what they want to learn, and how to get there.

Graduates should think out of the box and see beyond the traditional college course education.

"It's not always college education equals job equals success.  Jobs come easy when one possesses the knowledge and skills relevant to what the industries and employers need," he said.

Villanueva said that graduates should also think global and learn things that will open up a wide array of employment opportunities.

As the government agency mandated to promote technical vocational education and training, TESDA and its network of public and private institutions offer a host of courses that can be completed in a short period of time; some even in less than a month .

Currently, there are close to 20,000 programs in these institutions that are registered with the agency.

In partnership with companies, TESDA also has apprenticeship programs that involve actual work exposure and prepare the youth to the world of work.

Villanueva said that most of the universities and colleges will begin the new school year in June, while some like the Ateneo de Manila University and several campuses of the University of the Philippines will embark on a new school year opening in August.

"This gives the graduates three to five months of free time, which can be used productively to enroll in a tech-voc course," Villanueva said.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

P6.6M TESDA Training Programs

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has allocated P6.6 million for the conduct of community-based training programs in Zamboanga City.

Tesda Director-General Joel Villanueva said the allocation is part of the P1.022 billion funds that President Benigno Aquino III has allotted for the community-based trainings of Tesda.

Villanueva said the community-based training program is for out-of-school youths (OSYs) who are interested to earn skills to be able to land jobs for a living.

Villanueva said that among the skills trainings that will be conducted for OSYs are welding, computer, and language.

He said the P6.6-million allocation will be divided into the two congressional districts in the city.

He said the OSYs, upon completion of the training, will receive a National Certificate and will be provided with livelihood starter kits.

2014 ASEAN Skills Competition

Eyeing the 2014 ASEAN Skills Competition (ASC), over 100 technical vocational (tech-voc) graduates and trainees will compete against each other starting today for national honor and ASC slots.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) opens today in three venues the 2014 Philippine National Skills Competition (PNSC) to showcase the skills learned by tech-voc graduates and trainees.

Winners in the April 7-10 PNSC will earn a slot, aside from honor and prestige, at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) event to be held in Vietnam this year.

TESDA Secretary Joel J. Villanueva lauded the national finalists for embracing excellence in their skills.

“The national finalists have shown they have what it takes to excel in rapidly-growing trades and industries,” he said.

Villanueva, TESDA director general, said the skills competition which demonstrates competencies of tech-voc graduates and skilled workers “brings them to a spot in which they are seen as role models to other young people who want to explore careers in high-demand qualifications.”

TESDA-National Capital Region Director Mitzi Tangonan said the participants come from the country’s various tech-voc institutions (TVIs).

She said the PNSC will be held simultaneously at TESDA-NCR (MFI-Foundation, Pasig City); Region III (San Fernando City, Pampanga); and Region IV-A (Batangas City).

The Philippine winners will go to Vietnam for the ASC to compete with tech-voc national champions among members of the ASEAN. Comprising ASEAN are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

TESDA said the national finalists will participate in either of the following trade areas: Automobile Technology; Beauty Therapy; Cooking; Electrical Installation and Maintenance; Electronics; Fashion Technology; Graphic Design Technology; Hairdressing; IT Network Systems Administration; IT Software Solution for Business; Information Network Cabling; Mechanical Engineering Design-CAD; Mechatronics; Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Servicing; Restaurant Servicing; Web Design; and Welding.

Villanueva said he is hopeful the PNCS participants will have a challenging and fun experience as they compete with each other to test their stamina and skill.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Dubai – Wanted 4000 Female Workers

MANILA - More than 4,000 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) certified female workers are needed in Dubai, according to TESDA Dir. Gen. Joel Villanueva.

Villanueva said the 4,200 job offers are from Placewell International Services, which is looking for female workers who have trained under TESDA.

Among those needed in Dubai are workers specializing in electrical installation and maintenance, plumbing, refrigeration and air conditioning.

The hiring period for workers will go on until 2016.

Villanueva added that Placewell International Services believe in the skills of workers who are TESDA-certified.

Those who will be hired for Dubai will be given a salary from $600 to $800 a month.

TESDA Help Empower Women Retailers

MANILA, Philippines - Coca-Cola Philippines is helping empower women retailers through the Sari-sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The STAR program, which has been successfully running in various communities in the Philippines for the last two years, is in line with the 5by20 global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company, which aims to economically empower 5 million women by year 2020.

The STAR Program is a gender-sensitive module customized for women micro-entrepreneurs. Acknowledging women as active players in economic development, the STAR Program has emerged as one of the most successful of 5by20 initiative in the ASEAN region.

"Women are already pillars of our business and of the communities we proudly serve. Giving them access to the various components of the 5by20 STAR Program will help transform them into becoming better entrepreneurs," Atty. Adel Tamano, Coca-Cola Philippines Director for Public Affairs and Communications, said.

TESDA deputy director general Atty. Teodoro Pascua noted Coca-Cola’s STAR Program is "one of the best corporate social responsibility projects".

Malaysia’s Department of Women Development deputy-general Che Azizah BT Che Rashid visited the Philippines last month to attend a day-long orientation of the STAR program. Women’s organizations and microfinance institutions from Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand also attended the event.

"We are proud of what Coca-Cola Philippines and TESDA have achieved so far, their passion and enthusiasm with a willing heart to continuously share best practices like this is already making a difference within the ASEAN neighboring countries as they get ready to implement 5by20 women economic empowerment programs in their respective markets," Jackie Duff, Coca-Cola Director for Women's Economic Empowerment, said.

Gilda Custodio-Maquilan, 5by20 Philippines STAR Program Chairperson, said investing in women economic empowerment is investing the future of communities.

"“We are encouraged by the participation of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia in this learning exercise. Sharing the Philippine 5by20 experience will mean we will be able to empower more women in ASEAN," Custodio-Maquilan said.

Training Skills Offer by TESDA to ODWs

TUGUEGARAO CITY - To provide equal access to livelihood opportunities for the Occupationally Displaced Workers (ODWs), the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) has tied-up with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for free skills and entrepreneurial trainings.

Remedios Andrada of ECC region 2, said they offer the training to facilitate integration of ODWs into the economic mainstream and assist them in establishing their self-managed micro-enterprise or home-based business.

“We have plenty of workers who suffered disabilities from their former works locally and abroad. Because of their disabilities, they lost their works and now looking for opportunities to earn for a living for their families,” Andrada stated.

She said they offer the training through the ‘Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KAGABAY) program, a special program for ODWs who lost employment by reason of work-related disabilities and sickness.

“Under the program, the ODWs are granted either free training for re-employment or for entrepreneurial purposes. This is an effort to help the displaced workers,” Andrada added.

On the other hand, TESDA Provincial Director Romeo Talosig also stated that their institution appreciates much if the ODWs would also undergo other TESDA skills training offerings that fit their capabilities.

As per agreement, ECC will pay the enrollment fee, including food and transportation allowance of the ODW trainees and their basic tool kits and starter kits shall also be reimbursed.

Andrada also stressed that only ODWs with approved disability claims from either SSS or GSIS can avail of the program. ODWs with approved claims may visit ECC office at DOLE Regional Office 2, Caritan, Tuguegarao City.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Samsung Reveals Galaxy Gear 2 Smartwatch

Samsung’s updated Galaxy Gear 2 smartwatch focus on health and music as S5 launch approaches. The Korean manufacturer claimed the Galaxy Gear 2 and the cheaper Galaxy Gear 2 Neo smartwatches would offer increased connectivity, customisation, and control.

The original Galaxy Gear smartwatch was met with a critical reception after claims it failed to offer sufficient features. A software update addressed some of those, such as its inability to show Google mail messages, but Samsung indicated it will persist with the category with an update that it said was “designed to take the freedom, convenience and style of wearable technology to the next level”. Both devices offer enhanced connectivity and integration with other devices for a more personal, wearable experience, the company said.

Samsung’s bid to create a new product category has been hampered by poor reviews, high return rates and claims that the device is not yet ready for mainstream adoption. Other companies, including Sony and HTC, are however also expected to announce new smartwatches at the upcoming Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, indicating the industry’s continued commitment to wearable technologies.

Samsung itself is expected to dominate the show with its announcement of the new S5 smartphone. The new models will now integrate the camera with the screen, rather than placing it on the strap, and improve the design. Users will also be able to change the home screen background, clock face and font. As currently, the Gears will show incoming calls and messages, but new features will also allow them to work as remote controls for TVs or set-top boxes and as a standalone music player when paired with a bluetooth headset.

A heart rate monitor is also now included, and Samsung said both models, although based on the new Tizen operating system, will be compatible with more than a dozen Samsung Galaxy smartphones at launch from April. The new Gear 2 includes an identical screen to its predecessor, but the new operating system runs on a faster, 1GHz processor, and upgrades to camera from 1.3MP to 2MP. Its fractionally smaller battery claims to offer a similar level of performance.