Friday, October 3, 2008

Invitation: SEACOOP Conference, Brussels, Belgium

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Mr. RAFAEL P. SALDAÑA
School of Science and Engineering
Ateneo de Manila University
PHILIPPINES

INVITATION LETTER

September 16, 2008

Dear Mr.
Saldaña,

We have the pleasure to invite you to participate in the “2008 Euro-Southeast Asia Cooperation Forum on ICT research” to be held on October 6-7, 2008 in Brussels, under the aegis of the European Commission and of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

This Forum is organised with the support of the SEACOOP project, funded by the European Commission, and which we have the privilege to coordinate.

We count on your presence to allow the event fully achieving its main objective: to contribute to the development of strategic cooperation on ICT research between Europe and Southeast Asia.

Please note that all expenses related to the visit will be covered by the project budget allocated for ASTI.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information you might need.

With my best regards.

Roger Torrenti
CEO
Coordinator of the SEACOOP project

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Guidelines for Chairmen: Euro-Southeast Asia Cooperation Forum on ICT Research

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THE EURO--SOUTHEAST ASIA COOPERATION FORUM ON ICT RESEARCH
October 6-7, 2008
Radisson SAS Royal Hotel - 47 Rue du Fossé-aux-Loups - Brussels - Belgium

UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES FOR SPEAKERS AND CHAIRMEN

EVENT OBJECTIVES

The Euro-Southeast Asia Cooperation Forum on ICT Research is the first of its kind ever organised in Europe and should be a key milestone in the development of S&T cooperation on ICT between the two regions. It is not a scientific conference but an event aiming at providing suited conditions to identify or further develop concrete cooperation projects. Since the event is held only some weeks before the launch of important calls for proposals of the European
Commission related to ICT research (including the FP7 ICT Call 4), it is foreseen that some of these cooperation projects may eventually become proposals submitted in response to these Calls. Over 200 delegates, including 70 to 100 representatives from leading Southeast Asian organisations, will participate.

EVENT STRUCTURE

The programme is mainly composed of parallel thematic sessions. The pragmatic objective of each session is to provide European and Southeast Asian organisations active in the theme on which the session is focusing, an opportunity to meet and discuss potential cooperation projects, particularly under FP7. An opening session devoted to welcome and keynote addresses, will set the scene. A training session will cope with practical aspects concerning FP7 proposals. A closing session, involving all session chairmen (or rapporteurs they will designate) will allow to take stock of the two days and to pave the way for the future, namely until the deadlines of coming FP7 Calls. Last but not least, during the 30' session breaks, "5 minutes to convince" sessions will be organised in the main conference room in order to give the floor to more delegates (this conference room will also be available during the two days for delegates wishing to have specific meetings there, the room being set up accordingly when not used for plenary sessions).

SESSION GUIDELINES

Each thematic session will start with a 10 to 15’ presentation from the European chairman, introducing the way the session theme is addressed in FP7 and providing available information on priorities set for the next FP7 Calls in the area. Then, each speaker listed in the session programme will be invited to make his/her presentation in 5’ to 10’ (please remember: it’s not a scientific conference, be as concise as possible!), which means basically using 3 main
slides: the first one introducing the activities of his/her organisation, the second one devoted to the vision of the speaker / organisation in terms of potential cooperation project, the last one addressing the status of this potential project and/or the envisioned next steps. Speakers are provided with a template that they may use to prepare their presentations (they
may alternatively chose not to use this template). Such a session structure will leave ample time for thorough discussions on concrete cooperation projects and hopefully allow concluding each session with a set of well identified and promising projects.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Photos: PSHSAA Meeting in Anvaya Cove (Morong, Bataan) near Subic Bay

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Last Wednesday, 1 October 2008, a national holiday, the Board of Members of the Philippine Science High School Alumni Association (PSHSAA) with some of their family members went to Anvaya Cove in Morong, Bataan via Subic for a meeting and R&R (rest and recreation). Although it was raining we had lots of fun and team building activities. From the photo collection of Raffy Saldaña (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com)

To view more photos, click on the following link:

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/170/Meeting_and_RR_at_Anvaya_Cove_in_Morong_Bataan_near_Subic

(Suggestion: Choose the 'Slideshow' option.)

PSHSAA Board Members Present:

1. Jun Sabug, Batch '69
2. Raffy Saldaña
, Batch '77
3. Susan Warren-Mercado, Batch '78
4. Butch Zaldarriaga, Batch '80
5. Carlo Subido, Batch '82
6. Galdys Barrer, Batch '83
7. Tina Jardiolin, Batch '84
8. Raymond Ancog, Batch '88
9. Joyce Simpas, Batch '92
10. Jeff Jubilado, Batch '93

Cheers,

Raffy




Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Travel: Anvaya Cove (Morong, Bataan) via Subic

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Photo Caption: Views of Anvaya Cove, an exclusive resort and residential complex in Morong, Bataan near Subic Bay. From the photo collection of Raffy Saldaña (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com)


October 1, 2008 (Wednesday) was declared a national holiday in the Phillippines. So during this day my colleagues in the Philippine Science Alumni Association Board (PSHSAA) went to Anvaya Cove in Morong, Bataan (near Subic) for a meeting and an R&R (rest and recreation) functions. I rode with Tina (Jardiolin) and Joyce (Simpas) -- my fellow officers in the PSHSAA --in Tina's BMW mini-SUV and we took the NLEx (Northern Luzon Expressway) and the new SCTEx (Subic, Clark, and Tarlac Expressway) on the way to Anvaya Cove. Anvaya is an exclusive resort and residential complex close to Subic Bay, about two and hours drive from Manila. Although it was raining most of the day, we had a productive meeting and lots of fun. Thanks to Butch Zaldarriaga (president of the PSHSAA), we were able to use the facilities of Anvaya Cove. Butch is a member of the Anvaya Cove Club.

(Suggestion: Choose the 'Slideshow' Option)

Cheers,
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2008 Euro-Southeast Asia Cooperation Forum on ICT Research (Brussels, Belgium)

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Figure Caption: Vicinity map of the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Brussels, Belgium -- venue of the 2008 Euro-Southeast Asia Cooperation Forum on ICT Research.

On October 6-7, 2008 I will participate in the 2008 Euro-Southeastasia Cooperation on ICT Research to be held at the Radisson Royal SAS Hotel in Brussels, Belgium under the sponsorship of the SEACOOP project through ASTI (Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology).

This conference event will be the first of its kind ever organised in Europe and is planned to be a key milestone in the development of EU-Southeast Asia cooperation on ICT research. Over 200 delegates, including 70 to 100 representatives from leading Southeast Asian organisations in the ICT area, are expected to participate.

Held only some weeks before the launch of an important FP7 call for proposals related to the ICT theme (Call 4), this Forum will particularly aim at thoroughly discussing the opportunities of strategic cooperation presented in the Strategic Projects section of the SEACOOP website (http://www.eurosoutheastasia-ict.org/events.html).

Coordinator
Ateneo Grid and High Performance Computing Group
School of Science and Engineering
Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Ateneo Thanksgiving Mass and Bonfire (UAAP Season 71)

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From the Ateneo Blueboard:



Congratulations to the Ateneo community for the following achievements by our various teams:

  • Loyola Schools: UAAP Season 71 Mens' Basketball Champion and Ladies' Swimming Champion
  • High School: UAAP Season 71 Juniors Basketball Champion and Swimming Champion
  • Grade School: Small Basketeers of the Philippines Champion

The following are the details of the thanksgiving Mass, bonfire, and program today,
September 30:

6:00 PM: Thanksgiving Mass at the Church of the Gesu

7:30 PM: Program at Bellarmine Field (across the Gesu)

Tribute to the various Ateneo champion teams

Autograph Signing

Performances by the Blue Babble Battalion, Migs Escueta, APO Hiking Society, Chicosci,
Kjwan, Parokya ni Edgar, Spongecola, and other bands

1. Food & Beverage

Some 30 concessionaires have signed up to sell for the duration of the evening. There
will be also be complimentary Pepsi products while supplies last. Beer will be sold ONLY
to adults, ages 21 and above.

2. Tents, Tables and chairs

Some tents, 100 tables and 1,300 chairs will be provided free of charge and made
available on a first-come, first-served basis.

People are free to bring their own tents, tables, and chairs but can set up ONLY AFTER 5:00 PM AND ONLY at designated areas.

For the designated areas, please inquire at the information booth on Bellarmine Field, Xavier
Hall side.

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Fire Hits Pisay (PSHS Main Campus in Diliman, Quezon CIty)

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I saw in the news (Unang Hirit, GMA 7) today, 30 September 2008: A portion of Philippine Science High School Main Campus (Diliman, Quezon City) got burned early morning Sept. 30. Nobody was hurt. According to the news, a portion of the Registrar's Office and the Faculty Center were damaged. Periodical exams scheduled today were postponed to another day said Ms. Herminigilda Salac, CISD Chief.
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Photo Link:


Video Clips Part 1: Ateneo is the Champion! (UAAP Basketball Season 71)

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Click on the Video Links below to see the videos:

GO ATENEO! http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/video/item/44

MARY FOR YOU: http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/video/item/45/Ateneo_Crowd_Sings_Mary_For_You_UAAP_Finals_Game_2_Araneta_Coliseum

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Monday, September 29, 2008

Congratulations: Ateneo Students Top U.P. Statistics Contest

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From the Ateneo Blueboard (c/o Ms. Edith Bagtas, Math Dept. Secretary)


The annual statistics competition, STAT - IS - EEKS, sponsored by the UP
Statistical Society and held last September 13, 2008 was totally dominated by
Ateneo students.

Ateneo won the top three awards in both the individual and
the team categories in the competition which was participated in by 31 teams
from the top colleges and universities in the country.

The winners in the individual category are:

First Place
- Emerson Escolar (BS/M AMF)
- Alvin Tan (BS ME)

Second Place - Emmanuel Plan (BS MA)


Coach - Mr. Tony Zosa
Instructor
Math Department

The winners in the team category are

First Place - (Ateneo Mathematics Society)
Gian Chua
Emerson Escolar
Jason Naniong

Second Place - (Ateneo Celadon)
Jessica Chua
Earvin Go
Mark Anthony Tolentino

Third Place - Ateneo MEA
Kyna Cheu
John Clerigo
Alvin Tan

Coach - Mr. Tony Zosa
Instructor
Math Department

The fourth place in the team category was also occupied by the Ateneo CMG team
composed of Alvin Belleza, Carmina Padua and Emmanuel Plan. (coach - Mr. Tony Zosa,
Instructor, Math Department)

Ateneo has consistently topped this competition in both the team and
individual categories for the last three years. However, this year is the
best performance ever delivered by our teams.

Note: Earvin Go is my student in Numerical Analysis (Ma 195).

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ATENEO STUDENTS AND TO TONY ZOSA OF THE ATENEO MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT !!!
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A 'Mourning' Cat

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Last Sunday, 28 September 2008, I accompanied my mother during a visit to the grave of my sister, Lorie, at Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City. I saw an amusing scene: a cat that seemed to be mourning the loss of its owner. Interesting!

From the photo collection of Raffy Saldaña (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/)

Related Link:

http://www.catplaza.org.uk/cat-and-wiser/The-cats-mourning-process/
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Sunday, September 28, 2008

Accompanying my Mother on a Sunday

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Today, 28 September 2008, Sunday, I accompanied my mother (who celebrated her 75th birthday on 27 September 2008) to the following activites:

1. Visiting my sister's grave in Manila Memorial Park, Paranaque City.

2. Attending mass at St. James' Church in Ayala, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

3. Buying groceries at a supermarket in Bacoor, Cavite.

To view more photos click on the following link (Suggestion: Choose the Slideshow Option):

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/167#21

Related Link: http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/09/its-my-mothers-birthday-happy-birthday.html

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

It's My Mother's Birthday: Happy Birthday Inang Flor

.Photo Caption: My mother an I during the celebration of my mother's 75th birthday. From the photo collection of Raffy Saldaña (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com)

Photo Caption: My mother, Flora, celebrates her birthday today, 27 September 2008. From the photo collection of Raffy Saldana (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com)



Today (27 September 2008) is the birthday of the greatest mother in the world -- my mother. Her name is Flora (meaning = flower) or Flor for short. She is now 75 years old, a diamond age.


Happy Birthday Inang! I wish you good health and happiness on your birthday.


We love you very much.


Your loving son,



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Friday, September 26, 2008

Photo Links: Ateneo is the Champion! (UAAP Basketball 2008)

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Photo Caption: At the Araneta Coliseum after the game between Ateneo and La Salle. Ateneo won the championship, 62 - 51. From the photo collection of Raffy Saldaña(http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com).


Click the links below to see photos taken by my digital camera during Game 2 of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) 2008 Basketball Championship held on Thursday, 25 September 2008 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. Ateneo de Manila University beats De La Salle University, 62 - 51, to emerge as the champion.

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/165/UAAP_Finals_2008_Ateneo_Wins_the_Championship_Part_1

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/166/Part_2_Ateneo_Wins_the_Championship_UAAP_Basketball_2008

Suggestion: Choose 'Slideshow' Option.


Cheers,

Raffy
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Related Link:
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Thursday, September 25, 2008

UAAP Basketball Finals 2008: Ateneo is the Champion!

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Game 2 of UAAP Basketball Finals

Thursday, 25 September 2008


Ateneo vs. La Salle


Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City


Result: Ateneo = 62 pts., La Salle = 51 pts.


ATENEO IS THE NEW CHAMPION!!!


Congratulations to the ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL TEAM!


Cheers,
Note: Today (25 September 2008) I experienced a lot firsts: (1) It was my first time to watch a UAAP basketball game at the Araneta Coliseum, (2) my first time to watch a UAAP Basketball Championship, (3) and my first time to watch (live) the Ateneo basketball team winning the UAAP championship over La Salle :)
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Ateneo - La Salle UAAP Basketball Finals Tickets: Problem with the Queueing System

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From the Ateneo Blueboard, 22 September 2008.

Source: http://www.ateneo.edu/index.php?p=120&type=2&sec=26&aid=5814