Cloud ME Technology Brings People Closer Together for Beijing 2022
To bridge the physical distance for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 amid COVID-19 restrictions and geographical differences, Alibaba launched the Cloud ME powered by its real-time communication (RTC) solution.
Cloud ME facilitates social interactions for people who are keen to explore bona fide meeting experiences during the Olympic Winter Games, enabling them to meet and enjoy real-time conversations with each other via a life-sized, true-to-life projection.
By stepping into a pop-up studio in the Cloud ME booth, participants will have their full body image projected realistically into a remote booth, in which their projected personas will be displayed to meet and greet with their counterparts. The true-to-life meetings can also be opened up to a wider audience across unlimited locations, thanks to the easily installed remote projection functionality.
“Alibaba is committed to the digitalization of the Olympic Games and to providing the technology infrastructure to promote a more inclusive and engaging experience,” said Daniel Zhang, chairman and CEO of Alibaba Group. “We hope to unite athletes and fans around the world with our cloud technology and allow the Olympic spirit to inspire us all as we celebrate the joy of sports.”
“Together with Alibaba, we are making history here in Beijing. For the first time ever, all core systems needed to run these Olympic Winter Games are hosted on Alibaba Cloud. Whether it is powering the Olympic online store in China, the OBS Cloud or technology to support the world’s media here in Beijing, Alibaba Cloud technology is setting new standards and raising the bar to new levels,” said Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The Cloud ME booth is simple to set up. Beyond typical studio equipment such as a video camera and a computer to capture the footage, it does not require any additional on-site IT infrastructure or optimized internet bandwidth to execute recording and transmission, thanks to the power of cloud computing.
Videos and audios produced in the Cloud ME booth will be transmitted on Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group. The proven RTC solution is powered by Alibaba’s advanced cloud computing capabilities and extensive global network coverage.
Backed by the low latency, high availability and high concurrency features of Alibaba Cloud, the process can be completed within 200 milliseconds. The live recording can then be projected onto a remote 4K high-definition screen, generating a true-to-life hologram effect, reconstructing all details in high definition — including micro facial expressions and clothing texture, which are essential to in-person interaction.
“The real-time communication solution powered by cloud technology plays a critical role in helping the world to connect effectively. Leveraging our global cloud network and self proprietary algorithms, we aim to bring the benefits of real-time communication to various day-to-day scenarios, including online education, interactive entertainment, video conferencing and other enterprise services,” said Lijuan Chen, general manager of Product and Solution, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.
Alibaba’s Cloud ME booths are available both within the closed-loop management system at Beijing 2022 and outside for participants of the Olympic Winter Games so that they can experience interesting social interactions in a mixed reality. The first Cloud ME event for Beijing 2022 facilitated a remote meeting between Zhang and Bach on February 6, who were unable to meet physically due to COVID-19 restrictions in China.
Digital Game-based Reading Intervention Wins at First TCS Sustainathon Philippines
Leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organization Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) concluded TCS Sustainathon Philippines 2021 last January 28 in an exclusive online event.
Students from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and De La Salle University Manila bag the top place with their entry Read-IO Works.
The first TCS Sustainathon in the country, TCS Sustainathon Philippines 2021 had the theme Inclusive Education for All in 2030. Many challenges and issues came to fore when the country’s education sector embraced distance and flexible learning amid the pandemic. Foremost of these are lack of resources, internet access, and a clear and stable line of communication between teachers and students. Through TCS Sustainathon Philippines 2021, TCS hopes to encourage and empower the Filipino youth in using technology to explore solutions for these problems, which their generation experiences first-hand, and collaborate with local stakeholders such as businesses and schools.
Students from various parts of the Philippines pitched their proposed solutions for the local theme. Among the submissions, 10 groups successfully made it to the finals.
The technologies developed by the teams involve web and mobile applications, wherein different programs are incorporated to provide convenience and flexibility in education.
The winning entry is T Read-IO Works developed by the Read-IO team, which comprises Jose Javier Lasala and Janos Lance Tiberio. The entry is a digital game-based reading intervention centered on phonics and oral reading fluency. It highlights evidence-based instruction and game-based assessments. It supports the gadget distribution initiatives of the Department of Education but is also accessible for offline use. With the Read-IO, the winning team sees that it is all the more possible to improve students’ reading comprehension, spelling, letter-sound knowledge and all the other indicators of literacy.
The second place was won by SchoNEXT. The team, consisting of Prince Loven Abestano, Abe Apao, Esmael Amatonding and Gwyneth Chiu, explored the bounds of technology in their entry, which seeks to create a distraction-free, student-centered virtual environment for studying. As students study from their homes, an effective, self-regulated studying habit and system can go a long way, and this is what SchoNEXT aims to highlight with this virtual studying environment.
The third place went to GOLS: Gamified Online Learning Space delivered by Racquel Moran, Lance Sangcal and Migs Ganzon. Their entry is about gamifying students’ online learning space, which helps in initiating active thinking and peer-to-peer learning through interactive games. More than anything, learning is best done with peers where students can not only learn vital knowledge but also develop the values of teamwork and leadership.
TCS Sustainathon Philippines 2021 Finals’ third and second placers will take home Php50,000 and Php100,000, respectively. The champion will receive Php150,000 in cash prize.
TCS Sustainathon Philippines 2021 was in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, Converge ICT Solutions, Inc., Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines, Inc., Edukasyon.ph, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth, and ADB Southeast Asia Development Solutions (SEADS).
“TCS Sustainathon Philippines showed us the extensive knowledge and passion of the younger generation to deliver solutions to improve the current situation of our education sector. We, together with our partners, are all impressed with the work that we saw coming from these students and how they utilized technology for the better. We are looking forward to seeing what their initiatives can achieve and how these can help them and the country,” says TCS Philippines Country Head Shiju Varghese.
The champion and second placer will also compete against the Sustainathon winners from Singapore and Malaysia at the TCS Sustainathon ASEAN finale later this year.
Caltex Network Supports Typhoon Odette-stricken Areas with Biyaheng Pagtulong
Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc (CPI), supports relief efforts in typhoon-stricken areas such as Bohol, Cebu, Palawan, Surigao and Butuan with the launch of its Biyaheng Pagtulong fuel promo.
From February 4 to 10, 2022, Caltex’s network of retailers and marketers will be donating Php1 for every liter of fuel purchased for relief efforts in typhoon-stricken areas. This will be topped up by CPI, in partnership with the American Chamber Foundation of the Philippines (AMCHAM Foundation).
All Caltex fuel products are included in this nationwide fuel up-to-donate drive and there is no minimum fuel purchase required. The more motorists gas up, the higher the chances that the targeted Php5 million fund will be reached for Caltex and its retailers to donate to the typhoon victims.
Typhoon Odette left serious damages across Visayas and Mindanao, particularly in Bohol, Cebu, Surigao, Butuan and Northern Palawan. Electricity and water supply have yet to be restored in most of the areas hit by Typhoon Odette. Residents are also struggling with food, clothing and shelter. Relief efforts in these hard-hit areas are still ongoing.
“Chevron Philippines has always been committed to improving the quality of life of the communities we operate in. We want to appeal to the Filipino spirit of bayanihan to help those in need. It is our hope that the collective contributions will help in addressing the immediate needs of our countrymen affected by typhoon Odette,” CPI Country Chairman Billy Liu said.
The Caltex Biyaheng Pagtulong promo can be availed at all Caltex stations nationwide except in the areas badly hit by the typhoon.
CPI has a long tradition of donations to various charitable nongovernment organizations such as the Philippine Red Cross. CPI immediately mobilized aid and relief donations in millions during typhoons Ondoy, Yolanda and Ulysses, to name a few.
PhilRealty Builds on Legacy to Offer Uncompromised Living
The pandemic underscored the importance of quality living at home, that instead of just a mere place to return to at the end of a workday, home is a sanctuary.
As Filipinos adapt to the changes brought about by the pandemic such as remote work and online learning, the housing market is experiencing a renewed interest in properties that can deliver the lifestyle suited to the ‘next normal,’ where connectivity, accessibility and well-planned spaces are top priorities.
In a study released in Q2 2021, Colliers International Philippines noted that the share of upscale-to-luxury developments in new project launches has been on an upward trend since 2019. The segment accounted for 41 percent of new launches in 2020, up from 25 percent between 2015 and 2019. Buyers in the upscale market are looking for safe and high-quality homes for their families.
Redesigning modern living
Philippine Realty and Holdings Corporation (PhilRealty), which has 40 years of trusted industry experience, remains committed to building not just developments but communities that enable residents to experience elevated urban living in a safe and comfortable environment. Its success is anchored on its landmark developments that have brought vertical living to greater heights.
In the late 1980s, the company was one of the first developers to combine the concept of horizontal subdivisions and vertical living in the Philippines through its flagship luxury mid-rise project, The Alexandra in the Ortigas Business District. It was one of the country’s first vertical gated communities and continues to be a coveted address in the district today. Through this project, PhilRealty pioneered the “home replacement” concept that allows homeowners an “uncompromised living” in a vertical community.
PhilRealty’s succeeding development, La Isla Condominium, became the epitome of high-end living with 28 luxuriously appointed apartments at spacious 270 sqm to 580 sqm cuts, each offering breathtaking views of the city.
Home as a haven
Building on the success of these residential projects, PhilRealty developed Skyline Premiere and The SkyVillas in the One Balete Compound in Quezon City as a prestigious address for homeowners who appreciate luxe living in the comforts of home.
These developments offer tranquility with the laidback charm of the New Manila area and features large cuts, bi-level apartments, kitchens with a service entrance, maids’ quarters with toilet and bath, and utility areas with open-air ventilation. Units are fitted with top-of-the-line brands such as Canadian Kitchen cabinetry, SMEG kitchen appliances, and Kohler or Grohe bathroom fixtures.
The PhilRealty concept of ‘home replacement’ focuses on family living, with units that are designed to ensure that everyone can have their personal space for work, study or other recreational activities. It incorporates spacious living in intimate communities that provide privacy and exclusivity in a modern urban setting. For those who want to experience an outdoor respite, the property has a landscaped garden that offers the rejuvenating feeling of being in wide open spaces. The clubhouse has a swimming pool, fitness center and a children’s playground to help build that spirit of community.
PhilRealty’s master-planned projects continue to define high-end real estate development. The company is gearing up for more innovative and luxurious vertical residential developments to meet the distinctive homeowner’s needs in a dynamic industry.
With the past months reminding everyone of the importance of quality home life experience, PhilRealty reaffirms its mission of building not just structures but homes and communities that can last for generations, whether it be in residential condominiums, offices, or commercial spaces.
In the coming years, PhilRealty is looking into developing leisure propositions and townships. As the company looks forward to more projects ahead, it remains committed to building quality developments that enable residents to achieve uncompromised living in communities where generations can live and thrive. Having spacious and flexible residential units means that personal space, comfort and security are guaranteed.
For more information about PhilRealty’s properties, visit www.philrealty.com.ph
Airbnb Announces Relief Program Supporting Filipino Guests Impacted by COVID-19
Airbnb has recently announced a new way it will support guests as they navigate the unexpected impact of a recent surge in COVID-19 cases with its Guest COVID Support Program.
The company is introducing the program to provide relief to guests no longer able to proceed with their previously booked reservations due to unexpected travel disruptions caused by government mandates such as border closures or mandatory extended quarantine requirements.
For guests in these situations who are unable to obtain full refunds under their Hosts’ cancellation policies, Airbnb will provide relief in the form of a travel coupon for 50 percent of the cost of the unrefunded portion of the reservation. The company is funding this program with UD$20 million initially to help defray these financial impacts to guests and ensure guests know that it is listening to their concerns.
This program is effective immediately and applies retroactively to reservations that (1) have a check-in date on or after December 1, 2021 and (2) had to be cancelled by the guest due to border closures, government mandates and certain other Omicron-related travel restrictions not in effect at the time of booking. If guests had reservations for stays with check-in dates on or after December 1 and they had to cancel in advance of check-in due to unexpected travel disruptions caused by government mandates, they are eligible for relief under this program.
For example, if a traveler in October booked a stay in Manila with a check-in date for late December — and Manila’s restrictions on outside travel were announced after the date of booking but before the date of check-in — this program would retroactively apply. However, if a traveler books a stay in Manila today while the same travel restrictions are already in place, the program would not apply. Guests who believe their canceled reservations meet the program criteria should contact Airbnb’s 24/7 Community Support team.
This program is meant to support guests who have encountered extreme and unexpected government-mandated travel disruptions due to Omicron and through no fault of their own. Other circumstances such as a guest testing positive for COVID just prior to a reservation will still be covered by Airbnb’s Extenuating Circumstances policy and therefore will not be eligible under this new program. Additionally, extreme travel disruptions such as earthquakes and wildfires that are not related to COVID-19 are also covered under Airbnb’s Extenuating Circumstances policy.
“Since the World Health Organization’s declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic in March 2020, Airbnb has continued to prioritize public health. Our guiding principle has been that people should not travel or host if they are sick with this virus,” shared Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb general manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
He continued, “We are grateful that our Host community as a whole has sought to offer guests greater flexibility — with almost two thirds of active listings globally now offering moderate or flexible cancellation policies. Travellers have been hit hard, particularly with sudden travel restrictions and border shutdowns. We understand that our guests are trying to navigate in a really dynamic environment, and so we’ll be stepping up our support for them.”