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Aboitiz Eyes

By Franz de la Fuente
[https://aboitiz.workplace.com/profile.php?id=100026684951792]

As part of empowering the youth through education, Aboitiz Foundation partnered
with the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) in
conducting a communication career seminar focusing on the sectors of
journalism/media and development work in La Trinidad, Benguet.

A total of 79 junior and senior high school students from Benguet National High
School (Benguet NHS) participated in the seminar, which covered how to write
engaging stories, news and social media ethics, and career opportunities in
community media and development work.

Apart from the workshop, the students also had the chance to interview the EJAP
representatives. “When I got in citizen journalism, it became the time of my
life. The best thing that journalism has taught me is to see the world up close
and personal — not just read about it, but to actually go where the story is
happening and talk to these people and experience everything first-hand,” Inday
Varona shared, when asked by the students about the rewards of being in the
journalism sector.

Inday Espina-Varona, head of News Monitoring for ABS-CBN, shared that in this
day and age when social media is omnipresent, the youth must be more ethical,
mindful, and vigilant of their social media footprint.> The training was very
informative as far as the students are concerned since they were given a
headstart on the colorful, creative, and innovative possibilities and
opportunities they can embark on as future communication or journalism degree
graduates. As their teacher in communication, we can also properly guide them in
choosing the degree or career to pursue in college.

– Tam Tumpap, Benguet NHS journalism teacher
From left: Romy Catingub (Community Relations Supervisor, Hedcor, Inc.); Liza
Reyes (Assignments Editor, ANC); Marlon Luistro (Editorial Director, The
Filipino Connection)From left: Alladin Diega (Political Mapping Officer,
International Alert Philippines); Ruelle Albert Castro (President, EJAP)“In the
Aboitiz Group, we give utmost importance to education projects, believing that
education is an important enabler for success. Beyond providing access to
education and capability-building initiatives, we develop projects that prepare
our youth for the career challenges of the 21st century. We team up with trusted
professionals such as those of EJAP to help us achieve these goals,” said
Maribeth L. Marasigan, Aboitiz Foundation’s First Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer.

Benguet Students Take In The World Of Professional Journalism

The most valuable of all contributors to the world from the beginning of time is
the concept of ideas. When we sit in a meeting to get things done what matters
most is what works. Positions should be left at the door, where all who are in a
meeting are equal and all that matters is finding the best way forward.

In life and in business, the most intelligent are those who make the most out of
the situation at hand. Biases and prejudices just get in the way of winning.
Taking offense is a primary ingredient of losing. The world is moving at an
accelerated pace. We are all behind the learning curve. The winner will be he
who is least behind.

The books with a star are just that, a star.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* HOW TO THINK: A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR A WORLD AT ODDS 
by Alan Jacobs

First, one needs to learn how to think. Alan Jacobs warns that before you learn
to think realise you will loose and or entrain family and friends because most
people do not want to think.





DUAL TRANSFORMATION: HOW TO REPOSITION TODAY'S BUSINESS WHILE CREATING THE
FUTURE 
by Scott D. Anthony, Clark Gilbert, and Mark W. Johnson





* START-UP NATION: THE STORY OF ISRAEL'S ECONOMIC MIRACLE by Dan Senor and Saul
Singer

The GDP of Israel is 25 % of Germany and 4o or 50 times of their rival
Palestine, if you can call them a rival. How did they get there? The one thing
they do well is put positions aside and focus on the best idea to win, going
forward by excelling and being different.





AI SUPERPOWERS: CHINA, SILICON VALLEY, AND THE NEW WORLD ORDER 
by Kai-Fu Lee





FARSIGHTED: HOW WE MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT MATTER THE MOST 
by Steven Johnson





PRISONERS OF GEOGRAPHY: TEN MAPS THAT EXPLAIN EVERYTHING ABOUT THE WORLD 
by Tim Marshall





THE ROAD TO UNFREEDOM: RUSSIA, EUROPE, AMERICA 
by Timothy Snyder





* IN THE CLOSET OF THE VATICAN: POWER, HOMOSEXUALITY, HYPOCRISY 
by Frederic Martel

This book is an absolutely must read. Believe what you may but know what you
believe in. If you read one book this year, read this one.





CHURCHILL: WALKING WITH DESTINY 
by Andrew Roberts





* KOCHLAND: THE SECRET HISTORY OF KOCH INDUSTRIES AND CORPORATE POWER IN AMERICA 
by Christopher Leonard

Do you get it and do you get it done?





* THE DIVERSITY DELUSION: HOW RACE AND GENDER PANDERING CORRUPT THE UNIVERSITY
AND UNDERMINE OUR CULTURE 
by Heather Mac Donald

There is a crooked movement out there that may be affecting all of you.  This is
a must read also.





* HOW TO HIDE AN EMPIRE: A HISTORY OF THE GREATER UNITED STATES 
by Daniel Immerwahr

Our relationship with America in the past must matter to you.





TALKING TO STRANGERS: WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE PEOPLE WE DON'T KNOW 
by Malcolm Gladwell





* THE SNOWBALL: WARREN BUFFETT AND THE BUSINESS OF LIFE 
by Alice Schroeder

An example of simplicity that works.





* PRE-SUASION: A REVOLUTIONARY WAY TO INFLUENCE AND PERSUADE 
by Robert Cialdini

There is always someone that you want to convince. Learn how to do it well.






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Be of more value to yourself, your family, your children, your company, and your
nation — keep learning. Before you even start, learn to speed read and you read
five times as fast, exponentially improve your perspectives, and, hence, your
value to all.

– EMA

Notes by EMA: 15 Better Books I Read In 2019

By Jomes Kemuel Ibañez
[https://aboitiz.workplace.com/profile.php?id=100027697724203]

Crafted from the words “pera” and “preparasyon”, ₱er@parasyon is the corporate
social responsibility program of CitySavings that aims to strengthen practical
wealth management among the academe's educators and non-teaching personnel
nationwide.

Year-round, CitySavings holds ₱er@parasyon sessions in various schools to teach
simple steps on saving, building investment, and managing debt to pave the way
to financial wellness. In 2019 alone, the bank conducted over 480 sessions to
more than 31,600 educators.

“We realized that self-discipline is the key to be financially secured,
especially when we hit our prime years,” shared Irene Campanero, school
principal of Maydolong National High School in Eastern Samar.

In Surigao del Norte, Rose Abao of Alegria National High School is thankful to
the project for reinforcing the value of having savings and prioritizing needs
before wants for a debt-free life.

"Simple tips like going to the grocery with a shopping list or cooking your own
meals make a difference. May CitySavings continue to share these practical
wealth management tips for everyone’s benefit,” she shared.

> Attending Project ₱er@parasyon reminded me to secure myself and my family’s
future financially. I learned that spending less doesn’t mean living a less
quality of life. I commend CitySavings for this advocacy.

– Suzanne Capuz, Labnig National High School, Malinao, Albay
Project ₱er@parasyon contributes to the education aspect of the United Nations's
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically in increasing the number of
people with relevant skills for financial success. CitySavings continues to make
banking simple, straightforward and more accessible to bring greater financial
inclusion to more Filipinos.

Practical and Moneywise Wealth Management For Teachers

Aboitiz Construction invited Philippine Constructors Association Executive
Director Barry Paulino and PCA Foundation Program Director Anthony Mariano on
December 13, 2019  to discuss the country’s 2020-2030 Construction Industry
Roadmap. Dubbed as the “future of the construction industry”, the roadmap aims
to shape the future capacity, values, and institutional integrity of the
industry in the next 10 years.

Held at Cebu’s Quest Hotel and Conference Center, the forum gave ACI teams the
opportunity to hear PCA’s strategic and master transformation plans for the
construction industry, which is built around globalization, productivity,
sustainability, and institutions (government and private institutions
interconnect).

A snapshot of the 10-year construction industry horizon for the PhilippinesACI
has a clear opportunity to leverage and ride the waves already spurred on by
PCA’s massive development plans and the national government’s Build, Build,
Build commitment.

PCA is an organization composed of major contractors, suppliers, and service
providers involved in government and private construction projects in the
Philippines. PCA is a partner in nation-building and a catalyst for change.

Construction

Experts Weigh In On The Philippine 10-Year Construction Horizon

Aboitiz Construction (ACI) President & COO Albert A. Ignacio, Jr. signed a
memorandum of agreement (MOA) with ATAD Steel Structure Corporation Chairman
Huynh Ngoc Dong on December 13, 2019, to partner on potential project
opportunities in the country.

ATAD provides building solutions that include consulting, design, fabrication
and erection of high-quality pre-engineered steel building and steel structure
products.

The two firms (ACI and ATAD) will combine expertise and resources in
fabrication, erection and general construction to pursue prospects and jointly
secure project contracts. Together, they will drive up its respective
engineering design and execution capability, thereby continuously advancing
business and communities.

Aboitiz Construction and ATAD MOA Signing

By Charm Valmonte [https://aboitiz.workplace.com/profile.php?id=100040228966582]

Juice jacking! What an interesting statement, one that could mean many different
things.  Is someone taking away my juice drink? Who is jacking what? Is this a
new slang in school?  I was tempted to ask my teenager, but that could be quite
embarrassing.  Hey, Google! What is “juice jacking”? A recent security article
featured in the Cyware states that juice jacking involves criminals loading
malware into charging stations we may see at public malls and airports with the
intention to attack and infect our mobile devices. A seemingly unsuspecting
charging port can pose significant risks to your mobile device or your home or
office network.

Being creatures of convenience, we find ourselves glued to our phones or tablets
80% of the time. And as soon as our battery gets low, we scramble to plug into
the nearest charging stations. Here is where awareness on the existence (and
persistence) of threats and maintaining vigilance are seriously needed. Because
people will always be at the forefront of the organization, we can be the
strongest link (vice the weakest) if we maintain our security awareness. Here
are 3 simple practices to protect ourselves.

1. AVOID public charging kiosks no matter how tempting they may be.
2. BRING YOUR OWN power bank, charger, and cable.
3. DO NOT plug into someone else’s laptop.


Image from Enersa (
https://www.enersa.com.ar/seguridad-de-la-informacion-analizamos-el-juice-jacking/
)

In addition to juice jacking, avoid getting yourself into trouble by following
these easy steps.

 * Protect your data by following safe internet practices like minimizing your
   social media presence. Check your social media regularly and make it a point
   to Google yourself (what once was considered ‘egosurfing’) on a regular
   basis.
 * Avoid pop-ups, and do not open or click on unknown e-mail messages or links.
    Make it a point to hover your cursor on a link even if a message comes from
   someone you know.  Phishing exists in emails, chat groups, and messenger
   apps. If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of an email or other
   communication, always contact your security department or security lead.
 * Use multi-factor authentication where possible and avoid simple and easy to
   guess passwords.  Practice using something you know (password) and something
   you have (fingerprint) authentication.
 * Avoid free WIFI or publicly available WIFI. Remember the free WIFI can equate
   to free malware or worse, an account take-over.  Obtain the virtual private
   network (VPN) capability on your laptop through the IT group.
 * Ensure you have firewall protection enabled at home and at work.  Always keep
   your endpoint protection software updated.
 * Do not publish your home WIFI access point. Once you have configured your
   network, make it a point to HIDE your service set identifier (SSID) or, in
   layman's terms, the name of your WIFI access point.

These safe computing practices can keep your sanity and data secure.  For more
information, continue to check the Aboitiz IT Security Group’s AGORA page: 
https://aboitiz.workplace.com/groups/aboitizitsecgroup/.

Corporate Center

When You Don't Want To Be A Sitting Duck To Cybersecurity Risks

By Dave T. Devilles

Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines is blazing the sustainability trail in
the banking sector via the digital way and one of its centerpiece programs is
the partnership with Microsoft Philippines, which aims to boost digital literacy
in public schools.

As the first private sector partner of Microsoft Philippines, UnionBank is
breathing life to its purpose of co-creating innovation for a better world by
enabling public school teachers to become digitally adept and pass on digital
knowledge and skills to the students. UnionBank, ultimately, wants to transform
the educational landscape in the Philippines. The partnership will not only
equip educators with the right digital skills for teaching, it will also train
students to become the country’s future-ready workforce.

The partnership is being fulfilled by UnionBank employees themselves who train
as Microsoft Education Ambassadors, identify public schools that need a computer
laboratory, and commit teaching hours transferring what they learned to the
teachers.

Batch 2 of UnionBankers who trained under the Microsoft Education Ambassadors
ProgramThe Microsoft Education Ambassadors (MEA) Program of Microsoft works
primarily with the Department of Education (DepEd) to train public school
teachers on the use of digital technologies to facilitate better classroom
discussion and learning. More importantly, the program aims to foster a
community of advocates of teaching with technology.

> As Microsoft education ambassadors, UnionBank employees will serve as
inspiration and valued resource persons for students and teachers. They possess
the necessary expertise and skills to meet industry standards and can pass these
on to the next generation.

– Michelle Rubio, UnionBank EVP Chief Human Resources Director
Through this partnership with Microsoft Philippines, UnionBank, ultimately,
wants to transform the educational landscape in the Philippines. UnionBankers
are not just equipping educators with the right digital skills for teaching,
they are also training students to become the country’s future-ready workforce.



Tech Up Pilipinas
This people-centric digital technology partnership is part of the “Tech Up
Pilipinas” thrust of UnionBank, which envisions a Filipino population that has a
well developed information and computer technology skillset to help them become
effective citizens in an increasingly digital world.

“This partnership is just one of the ways through which UnionBank creates
technology-driven solutions to promote inclusive development.  As part of the
Bank’s larger digital transformation thrust, UnionBank initiated Tech Up
Pilipinas, a platform where technology firms and other like-minded organizations
can collaborate to come up with digital solutions for everyday problems,” Ms.
Rubio added.



UnionBankers as Digital Literacy Ambassadors
Under the program, UnionBankers will be trained on the use of various Microsoft
tools and technologies that help improve productivity, classroom engagement, and
learning outcomes. However, in order to graduate from the program, ambassadors
must first adopt and train at least one public school. Today, UnionBank has
produced 31 ambassadors who, collectively, have adopted at least 40 public
schools nationwide.

Even if she has been doing recruitment for most of her life, Abeegail Caberte
knows, deep in her heart, that she always wanted to be a teacher. “That is
actually my childhood dream,” says Abeegail, now the Talent Acquisition Head at
UnionBank of the Philippines.

So, when an opportunity presented itself through the Microsoft Education
Ambassadors Program, Abeegail jumped on the chance to teach public school
teachers some much-needed digital skills. “This opportunity gave me another
avenue to do what I love,” shares Abeegail.

“In recruitment, it’s part of our job to go to schools, but mostly we talk to
students. This time around, we talked to the teachers. And what I realized
during that experience is that, the teachers are also like students—they also
need nourishment. They also need to continuously learn, otherwise they will have
nothing new to teach,” shares Abeegail, who graduated from the MEA Program on
January 10, 2019. Together with other UnionBank ambassadors, Abeegail trained
public school teachers in Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City.

A fellow graduate, Derrick J. Nicdao, the Performance and Quality Management
Head at UnionBank, shares that his desire to give something back really pushed
him to complete the MEA Program.

“It's not all about us being knowledgeable and prolific in the use of these
systems,” says Derrick on the comprehensive training on different Microsoft
tools and technologies. “It will all be useless if we are not able to share it
with the people who can really benefit from the use of these systems.”



Giving Back to the Teachers
As a product of the public school system, Derrick has seen firsthand the
multiplier effect when you properly equip and train public school teachers “I
came from a public school—from elementary, high school, until college. I felt
that giving back what I knew will be the best motivation to continuously learn
something,” says Derrick of his experience.

According to Microsoft Philippines, the Philippines has around 600,000 teachers,
some of whom are in dispersed and isolated islands across the country. Public
school teachers, in particular, often have an extra burden due to lack of
governmental support for additional training, materials, and facilities.

Bea Rona, UnionBank Talent Acquisition Officer adopted Guitnang Bayan Elementary
School in San Mateo, Rizal Province as part of her commitment to the program.
This partnership gives UnionBankers the opportunity to give back to the schools
and the teachers that helped shape them into the professionals they are today.
Aside from providing training to teachers, UnionBankers also donate computer
hardware, educational software, and other digital technologies to their adopted
public schools.

“So, this is not just a one-time activity for us. Our long-term plan is to
establish a formal structure wherein we will be able to conduct this training so
that as we learn, we are also able to help someone else,” added Derrick.



Transforming the Educational Landscape
But beyond giving back to teachers and public schools, the goal of UnionBank’s
partnership with Microsoft is transformation.

To date, there are over 1,700 Microsoft Education Ambassadors nationwide, all of
whom are advocating teaching with digital technologies in various parts of the
country.

Indeed, real and lasting pursuit of transformation can only begin when company
values meet personal values. “This is the start of the fulfilment of my dream to
become a teacher someday,” quips Abeegail. “When I’m finished with my corporate
life, you will see me teaching.”

By Apo Agua Reputation Management and Aboitiz Eyes Team

Davao City, the Crown Jewel of Mindanao, is home to nearly 2 million people and
that population is rapidly increasing just as its urban development becomes more
emphatic. As economic progress spreads across the city, there is bound to be
greater demand for its basic resources, particularly for clean, safe, and
continuous supply of potable water.

For over 40 years, Davao City has been heavily reliant on groundwater, which is
found in the cracks and spaces of soil, sand, and rock underground, and can be
pumped to the surface after drilling a deep well. But when groundwater is being
extracted at a faster pace than the replenishment of aquifers (huge storehouses
of water), wells can dry up and cause land to sink. If groundwater decreases
relative to sea level, saltwater can seep through the deep well and contaminate
the water supply.

Image provided by Apo AguaLet's not wait till the water runs dry
To avert the scenario of drying out its primary source of drinking water, the
Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) was created through a partnership
signed in 2015 between the Davao City Water District (DCWD) and Apo Agua. The
project aims to limit the extraction of groundwater to preserve the city's water
table and save it from irreversible environmental degradation such as land
subsidence and saltwater intrusion - ensuring the sustainability of Davao’s
water supply. Apo Agua, a subsidiary of Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC), is a joint
venture company between Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) and J.V. Angeles
Construction Corporation (JVACC).

Once operational, DCBWSP will provide 300 million liters of water per day over
the next 30 years while shifting dependence (for the city’s main water supply)
from groundwater wells to more sustainably-sourced surface water from the
Tamugan River in Davao's Baguio District. By tapping the Tamugan, the project
will access both the right quality and ample quantity of water to allow DCWD to
temporarily shut down many of its groundwater sources and allow them sufficient
time to replenish. 

DCBWSP's raw water facilities: (1) Desander (2) River diversion channel (3)
Penstock pipe layingHow it is advancing business and communities
To help drive economic progress that uplifts lives of Filipinos through
infrastructure, Apo Agua has opened job opportunities for over 400 residents
from host communities and impact barangays. This number is expected to increase
to almost a thousand as the 60-km treated water pipeline is installed by 2021.
Hiring and placement are closely coordinated with the barangay councils, which
has led to talks toward conducting job fairs at the different localities. There
are also regular medical and dental outreach activities and the creation of high
school and college scholarships as well as materials donations to public schools
located close to the project.

Majority, if not the entirety, of Apo Agua's raison d'etre revolves around the
need to take good care of the environment to ensure the sustainability of our
water supply. As the company supports ecosystem preservation efforts for the
Panigan-Tamugan watershed, it is planting over 3,000 seedlings in the area
through DCWD’s Adopt-A-Site Program. It has recorded a remarkable seedling
survival rate of 100% owing in part to those who work to protect and preserve of
the watershed: over 200 Bantay Bukid volunteers who will soon receive insurance
coverage through Apo Agua. 

Relative to this, Apo Agua is also working on the Panigan-Tamugan Integrated
Watershed Development and Management Plan
[https://www.bworldonline.com/panigan-tamugan-watershed-management-plan-in-the-works-says-apo-agua/]
. The study is a response to the emerging challenges and prevailing issues in
the watershed area where the surface water source for the DCBWSP is located. 

When nature drives the technology
Another source of pride for Apo Agua is the DCBWSP's Water-Energy Nexus, a
unique component of the project and a first in Southeast Asia. The way it works
is the water treatment facility will be able to generate its own energy by
harnessing water pressure passing through its 2.4MW run-of-river hydroelectric
power plant. The energy generated will, in turn, power the water treatment plant
to clean the raw water.

But that's not the only wonder of natural science for the project. The DCBWSP
facility will harness gravity in delivering raw water to the water treatment
plant and on to the eight DCWD reservoir locations, in essence, creating an
uninterrupted power supply.

For DCWD, shifting to sustainably-sourced surface water would mean a reduction
in operational costs, e.g. lower energy costs. These savings can then be
reallocated to initiatives such as further expansion of service coverage,
improvement of distribution pipeline networks, and enhanced infrastructure and
equipment.

Image provided by Apo AguaWith construction works for the penstock, 10-km raw
water pipelines, and water treatment plant well underway, overall construction
is on track to be completed by the first half of 2021.

Once the DCBWSP operates in the first half of 2021, the water availability in
all service connections will improve and Davaoeños can experience a 24/7 water
supply service with adequate water pressure in their households.

"A good teacher is like a candle — it consumes itself to light the way of
others." 
–Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

Teaching is a noble profession albeit a challenging one in itself, especially
for any educator assigned to inaccessible far-flung areas. But however daunting
the situation may be, school principal Joy Referendra remains unfazed. 

She comes from a family of teachers but Joy did not dream of becoming one
herself even as financial difficulties pushed into pursuing it as a career. As
such, she eventually quit teaching after nearly 17 years to take a break from
the pressure of her work, the environment, and the people around her. Yet, it
did not keep her away long because, as Joy believes, it was God who called her
back to continue teaching. 

An opportunity came in 2017 for Joy to work and serve the tribal children in
CCT-Visions of Hope Christian School. Finding comfort in being able to help the
children of Malungon, Sarangani gave her a new perspective, one she had not felt
in previous years. This time around, she viewed teaching no longer as a family
obligation but something that God wanted her to do.

Despite being from a family of teachers, "Principal Joy" did not wish to become
an educator herself.Teachers travel at least two hours each day, a good portion
of it on foot, to reach their school.For "Principal Joy", education is an
opportunity to share her learnings and a privilege to be part of her students'
journey towards achieving their dreams, which is what drives her the most. But
challenges remain. To get to school, she and her team need to travel an hour
from town, hike up a mountain for another hour or so, then cross three rivers.
It's a weekly routine Joy and her co-teachers are happy to do, for the love and
dreams of their students. However, she can't help feeling bad in times she falls
ill and, thus, unable to go to work.

Despite the lack of teachers, remoteness of the area, difficult terrains,
expensive vehicle rent for their trips, and coming home to their families (for
the locals) only once a month, Joy and the teachers of the CCT-Visions of Hope
Christian School continue their undying dedication to providing the best
education for the children. More than recognition, their passion and love for a
mission that brings life-giving hope needs continued support.

One way to help is giving teachers care packages that can provide them with
comfort despite their occupational challenges and reminds them that the one who
gave cares enough to send difficult to procure items. These packages contain
necessities (e.g. food items, medicines, etc.,) that are not readily available
in their area. Each will cost around five thousand pesos and will contain
prepaid cell phone load cards, solar-powered power banks, grocery gift cheques,
beddings and pillows, medicines and vitamin supplements, flu vaccine, and school
uniforms.

Through KINDer by Aboitiz, Aboitiz Foundation sought to give assistance to the
noble cause that CCT-Visions of Hope Christian School promotes. With this
partnership, Aboitiz Foundation and Visions of Hope are working together to
raise funds to provide 30 care packages that will help empower and recognize the
dedication of these teacher-missionaries. You too can help make a difference in
the lives of children in remote areas in the Philippines. Please visit KINDer
by
Aboitiz to be part of this project
[https://kinder.aboitiz.com/details.html?idCampaign=1495].

By Adonis Manzan [https://aboitiz.workplace.com/profile.php?id=100026789555481], 
Typhoon Specialist, WeatherPhilippines Foundation

We all know Earth to be "the third rock from the sun" and the only planet that
can support life in so many shapes and sizes. But how much do we know about this
special place in the universe, and how important is it to our study and
understanding of weather?

Some basic facts about the Earth are that it's smaller than the planetary giants
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune but larger than the three other rocky
planets Mercury, Mars, and Venus; its round shape has a diameter of roughly
13,000 kilometers but does have an equatorial bulge
[https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/7/110706-earth-equatorial-bulge-ice-loss-global-warming-science-melting/] 
caused by both its rotation (held by the North and South poles) and its
revolution. Most importantly, our planet has something very crucial in terms of
survival that other heavenly bodies don't possess: water. Water plays a central
role in our weather and it is fundamental to and interrelated with almost
everything that has life on Earth.

From National Geographic article 
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/7/110706-earth-equatorial-bulge-ice-loss-global-warming-science-melting/
Layers of the Earth
The Earth is a multi-structural system composed of three divisions that are
based on their composition — core, mantle, and crust. The crust's make-up is a
little less than 1%, consisting of oceanic and continental crust, which are
often more felsic rock, i.e. rich in feldspar and quartz . The mantle, on the
other hand, is hot and represents about 68% of the Earth’s mass. Finally, the
core, which is about 31% of the Earth, is mostly made up of iron metal.

Crust and Lithosphere 
The Earth’s outer surface, its crust and lithosphere, is a cold, thin, and
brittle outer shell made of rock. The crust itself is very thin, relative to the
radius of the planet, which is around 6,371 kilometers. There are two different
types of crust, each with its own distinctive physical and chemical properties:
oceanic and continental.

Oceanic crust is composed of magma that erupts on the seafloor to create basalt
lava flows, or cools deeper down to create the intrusive igneous rock called
gabbro. Sediments, primarily mud and the shells of tiny sea creatures, coat the
seafloor.

Continental crust is made up of many different types of igneous, metamorphic,
and sedimentary rocks. The average composition is granite, which is less dense
than the mafic (rich in magnesium and iron) igneous rocks of the ocean crust.
The crust lithosphere, which is about 100 kilometers thick, is the Earth’s
outermost mechanical layer, which behaves as a brittle and rigid solid.

Mantle 
The two most important things about the mantle are: (1) it is made of solid
rock, and (2) it is hot. Scientists know that the mantle is made of rock based
on evidence from seismic waves, heat flow, and meteorites. The properties fit
the ultramafic rock peridotite, which is made of iron – and magnesium – rich
silicate materials. Peridotite is rarely found on the Earth’s surface.
Meanwhile, scientists know that the mantle emanates extreme heat due to its
physical properties.

Core 
At the planet’s center lies a dense metallic core. Scientists know that the core
is metal for a few reasons. The density of the Earth’s surface layers is less
than the overall density of the planet, as calculated from the planet’s
rotation. Calculations indicate that the core is about 85% iron metal, with
nickel-metal making up much of the remaining 15%. Also, metallic meteorites are
thought to be representative of the core. If the Earth’s core were not metal,
the planet would not have a magnetic field.

It is important to explore and acquire basic knowledge about the planet Earth.
The more we understand about it, the better we are able to prepare for the
different possible phenomena that we can experience in the environment
surrounding us. After all, the ground we stand on and the air we breathe (ad\nd
everything that happens in between) are connected. As we have always said in the
past, it is always best to be prepared. Stay #WeatherWiser!

____________________________
References:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system/earth/
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/geophysical/chapter/the-composition-and-structure-of-earth/

Earth-Bound: What We Need To Know About Our Home Planet

By Vic Altiche [https://aboitiz.workplace.com/profile.php?id=100026344202635]

Last November 28, Pilmico and Aboitiz Foundation turned over a new ambulance to
the Municipality of Capas in Tarlac to be used in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games
in New Clark City from November 30 to December 11. 

The PHP2 million ambulance was donated in support and to help ensure the safety
of the athletes and audiences participating in the SEA Games.

A total of four sporting events were held at New Clark City for the entire
duration of the SEA Games, with both audience and participants estimated in the
thousands and coming from all parts of Southeast Asia. 

After the games, the ambulance was turned over to the local government hospital
to add to their first-responding vehicles to better assist the community of
Capas in times of emergencies.

The turnover ceremony was attended by Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan of Capas and the
team from Pilmico composed of FVP & COO for Feeds Norie Bermudez, VP Supply
Chain Teodoro Deocares, Technical Adviser - Feeds Anthony Ewing, CSR Supervisor
Katrina Mercado, CSR Specialist AJ Belen, and External Relations Manager Ma.
Theressa Castillo.

Pilmico advances business and communities by being a true Partner for Growth,
providing assistance, solutions, and guidance — to communities like Capas,
Tarlac.

Food

Pilmico helps put safety first at the 2019 SEA Games

PRESS RELEASE

Living up to its name as branch transformation leader in Asia, UnionBank is
taking its digital banking leadership to a higher level with ARK 2.0 - a smart
branch that leverages world-class 5G Technology for seamless connectivity with
IoT (“Internet of Things”)-enabled devices. It is expected that this will
certainly be the next game-changing step both in the transformation journey of
UnionBank – touted as the country’s Best Digital Bank - and in delivering more
seamless, secure and customized banking experience for Filipinos.

At the launch of the bank’s 15 new ARKs and the pioneering Ark-for-Business,
Edwin R. Bautista, UnionBank President and CEO, shared the plan to develop ARK
2.0.

> After the 40th transformed branch, the next logical question is, ‘What’s next?’
We need to up the ante. 
"And so, as we continue with our digital transformation towards the Fourth
Industrial Revolution, we are happy to announce that we already have the
blueprint in building ARK 2.0 – a smart branch with IOT-enabled devices
leveraging on 5G technology," he continued.

The UnionBank leader said that in line with the bank’s Enterprise Architecture
Roadmap, they will embark on taking their network infrastructure to the next
level with software-defined and artificial intelligence capabilities.

Researchers say that 5G banking would take customer experience to the next level
via augmented reality and virtual reality on their smartphones. When a customer
enters a bank, they will receive advisory content for their specific moment of
need. 5G can generate queue numbers for customers even before they enter the
branch.

According to leading digital financial publication The Financial Brand, by
combining 5G and artificial intelligence (AI), banks could better harness the
always on, real-time data coming from devices, which will allow better
prediction of a customer’s preferences and behaviors. 5G banking enables more
accurate lending decisions, better banking recommendations and highly
personalized advice from digital banking assistants.

“We are now working on a plan to achieve six-sigma reliability and make us
5G-enabled, so that we are ready to support IoT devices,” Bautista said.

He underscored that their latest move aligns with the bank’s “Tech Up,
Pilipinas” advocacy or the strategic use of technology to promote financial
inclusion.

“We want to enable the development of smart offices, smart communities, smart
schools and smart cities,” Bautista said, noting that the Fourth Industrial
Revolution is all about interconnectedness.

“If our customers desire to move to that space, then we as a bank cannot and
should not be an obstacle to their desires. We will take the first step and show
how - as we have done with blockchain, with facial recognition, with robotics -
a bank can support their desires. All it takes is for them to want it - because
if they want it, we can do it and we will do it for them,” he said.

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