BI's Viado to Meet IBMATA's Ayley To Address PH Border Management Challenges

 

While the Philippines sit on Earth's equator, it's total coastline is 22,548 miles which means management of it would prove challenging for any entity. This week, the International Border Management and Technologies Association's CEO Sharon Ayley will be in talks with the PH Bureau of Immigration very own Commissioner Anthony Viado to take serious steps in addressing what the Philippines is facing with regards to trafficking, security and border practices. 

Ayley says "We hold summits in 5 regions, find information and solutions. Trafficking is an important issue, and there's a need to talk about it, need to communicate not just for professionals but the community. Parents need to talk to children as they are targeting vulnerable people. The best way to protect themselves is by being informed. IBMATA does a series of workshops for this particular subject and this isn't an isolated issue in the Philippines, it is a global problem. The output of that is that technology can help with the problem, to protect the vulnerable people." 

She adds "With advanced analytics and AI tools, it can help us identify unusual travel patterns. It also helps monitoring watch lists, but it's not 100 percent. People in the front lines are working at higher pressure and have to make critical decisions. We need to make sure they have the tools, technology to make sure they have the information and trust their instincts. We need to get them training, help and support that they need."

Here's our talk about PH border challenges, and a few things that the country is doing good at; 

She puts emphasis on the country having multiple ports of entry (we have 7160 islands++) which makes it extra hard to do. She suggests to have it done with standards on each border. With systems in place like biometrics, and e-gates (where I think BI is already doing). This puts legitimate travelers with lesser hindrance so border agents get to concentrate on bigger issues like high risk cases to combat trafficking and other matters. It is here and is happening, we are 2nd globally according to statistics. 

She also suggests data sharing with not just government offices, but other ports elsewhere in the world (with ample security) and see it real time. This also includes biometrics to lessen identification concerns. This will also stop exploitation, and hopefully will put a stop with the issues mentioned earlier. Education, access to information is certainly the first line of defense. They have plans to hold future events and might take on other organization to help host it.

 

Here's hoping that the things they'll be covering this week will get some questions answered and actionable items be accomplished. 

Vargas Files Case Versus Parents of Bully

Hearing about this case just made me worry so much about folks who could be in the same predicament. QC Councilor Alfred Vargas and his wife Yasmine is taking a tough stand after their son has allegedly experienced bullying from a minor while doing swimming activities. 

They filed a complaint against the minor's parents at the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila. The file listed respondents as Juvelle Bacosa, Robert Vincent Sy. This is in violation of Section 10a of RA 7610 commonly known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. According to them, the minor had repeatedly pushed and held the son of the Vargas' while underwater, all during the duration of swimming and training sessions. They have noted repeated incidents, short of drowning, in which the Vargas' communicated, reminded and appealed to stop. Ms. Yasmine in one instance saw the minor engage in inappropriate acts, where she informed the parent but only downplayed and got gaslit by the mother. 

Things took a huge turn last February during a competition at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Several parents saw the minor push their son during warm ups, where two others (friends of the minor) laughed. This has brought their son severe physical and emotional stress. It was the final straw. 

According to Vargas, the mother acted as if nothing happened when it was brought to her attention, then posted online misrepresenting the incident. He says "As a Father, there are a few things you can't endure, to see your own son get oppressed. We should have done it sooner, and this is just some of the few things they did to our son. This isn't just child's play, and we simply cannot ignore this."

The complaint also indicated how they both have failed to supervise and discipline the minor, cited how dangerous it is to continue. He adds "We choose to fight back, not for revenge, but to make sure our son gets protected, it is for him and the others who are afraid to speak up!"

Vargas has always been a staunch supporter of protecting the rights of a child. He has discussed this in the QC council, on how parents should be held accountable especially on bullying incidents. He hopes a systemic reporting procedure be done to protect them and their families. He also hopes this inspires those who suffer the same fate.

Here's hoping JUSTICE be served!

Ready to Charge at MPBL: The QUEZON CITY BLACK BULLS!

I've seen and heard about the Quezon City Black Bulls at the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League because of the support of Cong. Arjo Atayde (and how proud he is of them in past games). He's not the owner as we met the real one Mr. John Christopher Tan, but he thanked Arjo for his stern support even during pre season games.

With Coach JayV Olea, they led the Quezon City Black Bulls with players Rey Publico, Clark Derige, Patrick Buena, Jake Agoncilio, Kenz Diokno, Kobe Monje, Ryan Costelo, Aeron Bagunu, Aldave Canoy, MJ Joson, Charles Dela Cruz, Jay Gadon, Joe Joven, Kai Espinosa, Bryan Rosalin, Joeben Loria, JR Lastra, Jaydee Del Rosario, Gab Salazar, Joshua Roque and Jeff Morillo. Mind you, some of them have joined the team recently because of the open try outs they held last March. Most of them are from Gardner College and a few are individually chosen because of their experience and talent on the hard court. They also played in the D1 League versus a few teams and did outstanding work with a 4-4 win loss slate. 

They're pretty much ready for what's about to happen during the MPLB regular season. Team owner John Tan and Coach JayV Olea are optimistic that they're going to perform well because they are taking the upcoming games seriously. First one in fact is with Caloocan which did good last season, so even in Holy Week they had to go back and practice early.

Here's what happened at the media conference: 

The testosterone level and height was so high during this event, but I see how much fire they have in their eyes because they're coming in as the new guys, nothing to prove, but just do their best once the games begin. 

Support them by following their FB page and the MPBL league at their games around the Philippines. Games are free to watch so go ahead and fill the gyms to the brim. Stand behind our very own Quezon City Black Bulls as they try their best in getting that Championship crown! 

GARDO VERSOZA Makes Up For Past Woes with MADDOX Wedding Rings!

A more personal interview took center stage as Gardo Verzosa graces Maddox Jewelry at their showroom at 1011 JP Rizal Street at Concepcion Uno in Marikina City. This time, taking off the Cupcake persona and telling some small details of his Las Vegas wedding, and the few instances he fooled around during his younger years. 

Talking about the wedding, he firmly admitted how it was a bit sad seeing the rings they had to use for the occasion because it felt like it was something that looked like a chicken scratched it. Now, he's taking his time to really look at design, clarity, and how he could make this wedding ring better, so he could make up for what they had in that small white chapel. 

He even divulged how he was a bit naughty during those times because he was a serial dater, putting initials of other people's names on his personal calendar which his wife found out later on about. There was just obviously a pattern. MADDOX Jewelry President and CEO Ms. Charo Cordial attributed the discovery to a woman's intuition, and felt it was just right to say the games over on her vlog. 

For those who don't know, Ms. Charo is a licensed Agricultural Engineer who has made headway in a very male dominated space. She now has this brand and continues to be successful and a trusted brand in the jewelry industry. Gardo sees this as an inspiration and which is why he's trusting only the best to make that wedding band dream, a reality with MADDOX Jewelry. 

He hopes this would become an instrument to make amends for all the wedding and relationship mishaps they experienced which story you can watch in full at the Maddox Jewelry YouTube channel or the D'Maddox Jewelry Facebook pager where they stream regularly for their pieces. See why a lot of people continue to see the shine of their diamond to this day.