RACE Launches First Layer 2 Blockchain Purpose-Built for Real-World Asset Tokenization, Joins Optimism's Superchain

London, July 2024 – RACE, the first full-stack modular blockchain infrastructure platform designed specifically for tokenizing and distributing real-world assets (RWAs), today announced the mainnet launch of its Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) blockchain built on Optimism’s OP Stack, a leading Ethereum scaling solution. In tandem with the launch, RACE is joining Optimism's Superchain, a network of chains that are built on the OP Stack and contribute revenue back to the Optimism Collective, the third self-hosted chain to do so alongside OP Mainnet and Base.

The mainnet launch of RACE's EVM-compatible Layer 2 blockchain protocol signifies a major milestone for RACE in its mission to create a global, decentralized marketplace run by its users for tokenized RWAs using its ATB Layer (Asset To Blockchain Layer). The tokenized assets will include trade finance, private debt, private equity, real estate, commodities, art, and luxury collectibles.

Furthermore, the launch unlocks several key benefits for users and the broader tokenized asset ecosystem. With the integration of Optimism's Layer 2 technology, users can now invest in tokenized RWAs with near-instant transaction finality and significantly reduced fees compared to transacting on the Ethereum mainnet, without compromising on security. This improved efficiency is crucial to support a thriving global marketplace of tokenized assets accessible to investors worldwide. By contributing to the Superchain, RACE will also benefit from the network's governance structure, scalability, and interoperability, in turn providing users with substantial cost reductions and enhanced speed and safety.

"The launch of our L2 mainnet is a significant step forward in our journey to revolutionize how RWAs are owned, traded, and managed on a global scale," said Miguel Buffara, Core Contributor and Lead Finance Engineer at RACE. "By leveraging the shared security and scalability granted by the Superchain, we're able to truly focus on enhancing our infrastructure and provide investors with seamless access to a diverse range of tokenized assets through our ATB Layer, in a compliant and trusted environment for asset owners, issuers and liquidity providers."

Assets tokenized on RACE will gain exposure to Optimism's growing ecosystem of decentralized applications, exchanges, and liquidity pools. This connectivity enables seamless cross-chain trading and enhances liquidity for tokenized assets, creating a more powerful and versatile market. Projects and developers building on RACE's infrastructure can also leverage Optimism's extensive suite of tools, SDKs, and documentation, accelerating the development of new applications and services within the RACE ecosystem.

“We’re thrilled to welcome RACE to the Superchain in tandem with its L2 mainnet launch, a testament to our support for RACE as it sets to unlock access to tokenized assets for community members globally,” said Mark Gerhart, Ecosystem Partnerships Lead at Optimism. “RACE’s approach to creating a decentralized and compliant infrastructure environment, in which participants with varying degrees of familiarity with tokenized assets can easily propose, buy, or sell assets, is much needed in this next era of web3 development.”

RACE is committed to establishing a secure and transparent ecosystem for digital asset management, employing stringent security protocols, risk mitigation strategies, and an innovative Decentralized Investment Committee (DIC), composed of legal, financial, and industry experts to ensure the integrity of the tokenization process, enhance platform trustworthiness, and maintain Know Your Customer and compliance practices.

"As pioneers of DIC-based decentralized due diligence, we see our mainnet launch as an opportunity to set a new standard for trust and transparency in the tokenized asset space," said Krisanth Sivarajh, Core Contributor and Director of Project Management at RACE. "We look forward to welcoming investors and asset owners to experience the next generation of borderless, frictionless investing on RACE."

The RACE mainnet launch follows a successful $5 million funding round and L2 testnet phase completed in 2024, and recent partnership announcements with Bridge.xyz and DFNS, which enable RACE to provide lower transaction costs and 'keyless' password-based wallets, respectively, for a more seamless user experience.

To learn more about RACE, visit raceecosystem.com and follow us on Twitter at @RACEecosystem. To learn more about RACE’s Foundation, visit race.foundation.

Enchanted Kingdom Celebrates Eldar the Wizard’s Magical Birthday

Eldar the Wizard is the iconic character of Enchanted Kingdom, the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines. He is known to teach children to uphold the EK core values of Love of God, Respect, Integrity, Loyalty, and Innovativeness.

As Eldar’s dream is to share joy, love, and magic with everyone, EK brings a month-long celebration in honor of the jolly and wise wizard.

Join Eldar’s Birthday Bash

Eldar the Wizard invites you to the most magical birthday celebration, Eldar’s Birthday Bash, on July 27 (Saturday), 3PM at the Eldar’s Theater! Guests will truly enjoy special access to surprising gifts, tasty treats, enchanting performances, and so much more! Kids and kids at heart get the chance to learn EK’s core values through fun and EKciting games and activities.

To make the event more enchanting, Eldar and the rest of his storybook friends will also be there for this FUNtastic celebration.

Slots are limited and Event Access Pass of Php600 is available for walk-in guests (Regular Day Pass or EKspress One Day Pass holders) and a special Php500 rate for all EKsperience the Magic Card (EKMC) members.

Enjoy Eldar’s Birthday Treat Promo (July 28–August 31, 2024)

Eldar has an EKstra gift for everyone on his birthday!

For only Php1,200, enjoy one (1) Regular Day Pass to EKsperience unlimited rides and attractions, one (1) Eldar’s Purple Brew drink, and one (1) Php100 discount voucher for Eldar-branded merchandise when you book via the EK Online Store from July 28 to August 31. Walk-in guests will also get to savor one (1) Eldar’s Purple Brew drink!

The Eldar’s Birthday Treat Promo is valid for visits from July 28 to August 31.

Experience our award-winning EK merchandise store,  Eldar’s Specialty Shoppe

Thinking about where to use your Php100 discount voucher? Check out Eldar’s Specialty Shoppe!

Eldar’s Specialty Shoppe is EK’s flagship retail store featuring the jolly and wizard. Just last year, it won the highly-coveted International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Brass Ring Excellence Award for the Best Retail Visual Merchandise.

There are adorable shirts, playful wizard costumes and hats, handcrafted accessories, Eldar pillows, Eldar keychains, animal plush toys, and a variety of memorable items you can take home for guests of all ages.

For more information about Enchanted Kingdom and upcoming events, visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph and EK’s official social media accounts @enchantedkingdom.ph for Facebook and Tiktok, and @ek_philippines for Twitter and Instagram.

An All-Rounder Smartphone: Vivo Y100 With Impressive Camera Capabilities, Starts at PHP 10,999

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - For city dwellers leading a high-speed lifestyle, time is considered a valuable commodity. While it is truly vibrant and exciting, urban living is not without its challenges, as many people find themselves juggling many tasks at a time.

The majority of the hustling millennials and Gen Z navigating city life are avidly seeking gadgets that will make their lives easier to maximize their efficiency and manage their busy schedules.

The answer: the Vivo Y100.

This latest smartphone from Vivo’s Y Series was designed to empower go-getters to master their dynamic routines. Its 80W fast-charging technology lets users power up to 80% battery in just 30 minutes. Plus, it boasts a photochromic body design to complement users’ fashion versatility! 

By leveraging the cutting-edge technology of Vivo Y100, millennials, and Gen Z alike can optimize their productivity, stay on top of trends, and maintain a competitive edge in their professional and personal lives. 

Since its launch, the feature-packed Vivo Y100 has shown its strong impact on the lives of people living in the fast lane, allowing them to thrive in their everyday mission to take on the real world and explore all the things being an adult has to offer.

While the Vivo Y100 is well-known for its supreme battery and color-changing design, it offers even more. 

The kicker? It also comes with a 50MP rear camera, 8MP selfie camera, 2MP bokeh, and Flicker Sensor, made for the high-energy, tech-savvy lifestyle.

Want proof? Scroll ahead to see tack-sharp photos taken with the Vivo Y100!

Breakfast in HD

Goal-driven adults need a good breakfast before they work on their tasks at full throttle!

This croissant was served fresh, with its layers and flakes perfectly captured in crisp detail by Vivo Y100’s 50MP rear camera.

Nature in Portrait Mode

Many millennials and Gen Z channel their creative energy into capturing artistic moments through nature photography, beyond their hustle at work.

For shutterbugs at any skill level, a smartphone featuring an exceptional camera system like the Vivo Y100 is a catalyst for passion and creativity.

When using its Portrait mode, the subject becomes the focal point while the background is softly blurred.

Case in point: Every intricate detail of the flower was vividly captured and accentuated.

Human in focus

Love snapping shots of friends or even random strangers? No problem! The Vivo Y100 excels at human portrait and selfie photography.

For a more artistic touch, maximize the portrait mode of this smartphone’s camera to create a pleasing separation between the subject and the background. Also, take advantage of different styles like Vintage film, French impressions, and Flash portrait as well as bokeh effects in hearts, stars, etc.

Get the Vivo Y100 with 8GB RAM and up to 256GB storage now starting at Php 10,999 at the Vivo website, Shopee, TikTok, and Lazada or at any concept store or kiosk nationwide.

Eastern Communications Bridges Digital Divide in Bohol, Supporting Local Businesses and Smart City Initiatives

TAGBILARAN, Bohol, 24 July 2024—Eastern Communications, the Philippines' pioneering telecommunications company, and ICT solutions provider, furthers its goal of digital inclusivity and expands in Bohol, bringing advanced connectivity and ICT solutions to Tagbilaran City and branching out to other areas on the island shortly. The telco officially announced its services through its "Via Eastern” launch event, unveiling its offerings designed to empower local businesses and fuel the province's digital transformation journey.

"Eastern Communications is expanding its reach to make its services more accessible across the Philippines," said Mike Castañeda, Vice President and Head of Sales at Eastern Communications. "We see Tagbilaran City as a strategic area for growth in the Visayas region, embracing digitization initiatives like cashless transactions and the development of the new Bohol Business Park, which is projected to generate 3,000 jobs."

Eastern's commitment to Bohol extends beyond the telco’s infrastructure and products. The "Via Eastern" launch event, held on July 23, 2024, at the MetroCentre Hotel, served as a platform for local businesses to gain valuable insights on digital transformation. Representatives from the Bohol local government, industry experts, and guest speakers shared their knowledge and guided attendees on leveraging Eastern's solutions to optimize operations and drive growth.

Powering businesses of all sizes

Eastern Communications focuses on bridging the digital gap and empowering local businesses through its innovative ICT solutions. The expansion will provide micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as large enterprises in the area with access to Eastern's fast and reliable connectivity services, such as Eastern Fiber 1 and Internet Direct Service (IDS).

Eastern Fiber 1 offers a shared, high-speed fiber service that ensures optimal performance during peak office hours, making it an ideal choice for emerging businesses seeking affordable yet reliable internet. For enterprises requiring greater connectivity, IDS provides dedicated bandwidth speeds of up to 10Gbps, ensuring uninterrupted, round-the-clock operations.

"Reliable connectivity partnered with ICT solutions are crucial for businesses to thrive and provide the best services to their stakeholders," said Jed Estanislao, Assistant Vice President and Head of Marketing and Customer Excellence at Eastern Communications. "Our full suite of internet and ICT solutions can be packaged to meet the unique requirements of each type of business, ensuring dependable and customized tech services for Boholanos."

Eastern Communications’ ICT solutions include Network Solutions, Cybersecurity Solutions, Cloud and Data Center Solutions, and Business Applications. These digital tools are essential for local enterprises to confidently expand and lead their businesses to success.

Partnering for a smart and connected city

Eastern Communications’ expansion aligns with Tagbilaran City's vision of becoming a premier destination for IT-BPO companies and tourism. The telco recognizes the city's immense economic potential, particularly with the thriving IT-BPO sector and the resurgence of tourism exceeding its 2023 target of 900,000 arrivals.

Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Censoria Cajes-Yap expressed her enthusiasm for Eastern Communications' entry into the market, saying, “Tagbilaran City welcomes new businesses with open arms and extends sincere gratitude to all existing businesses and investors for their enduring support over the years. The prestigious recognition as the Most Business-Friendly City for three consecutive years showcases Tagbilaran as an ideal environment where businesses not only survive but flourish. This acknowledgment underscores the city's commitment to facilitating a conducive atmosphere for economic growth, benefitting both Tagbilaranons and Boholanos by fostering an environment of prosperity and progress.”

Eastern Communications’ arrival at Bohol follows its nationwide expansion through the joint Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) project, the longest undersea fiber optic cable network in the Philippines, spanning 2,500 kilometers. This strategic infrastructure investment ensures Bohol's high bandwidth and low latency connectivity, solidifying the province's position as a prime destination for business and leisure.

"We are proud to say that we are also present in 30 of the 38 Next Wave Cities and Digital Cities identified by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) — a list that includes Tagbilaran City," said Castañeda.

As Bohol continues to embrace digitalization, Eastern Communications stands ready to support its journey toward a prosperous and connected future.

To learn more about Eastern Communications’ products and services, contact 0919-081-7788, 0917-300-7788, or visit www.eastern.com.ph.

Bossjob Joins NVIDIA Inception Program to Enhance AI Capabilities for Online Job-Hunting

July 2024, Philippines – Online job-hunting is set to get an upgrade with Bossjob's cutting-edge AI advancements.

Bossjob, the chat-first career platform revolutionizing professional hiring in Southeast Asia (SEA), is set to bolster its Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to further revolutionize online recruitment following its admission to the prestigious NVIDIA Inception Program.

NVIDIA Inception is designed to accelerate the growth of startups by providing them with technical tools, the latest resources, and opportunities to connect with venture capitalists and investors. The program boasts a network of over 19,000 technology startups worldwide.

Under the program, Bossjob is advancing its plans by developing an in-house recommendation model using various Machine Learning (ML) tools with the help of NVIDIA’s advanced technologies. With NVIDIA’s cutting-edge GPUs, Bossjob will achieve faster, more robust, and cost-effective scaling across additional job markets.

Bossjob co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Quak Kiat How sees admission to the program as a recognition of the company’s innovative approach and commitment to leveraging AI-driven recruitment solutions.

“Bossjob’s participation in the NVIDIA Inception Program reflects our commitment to revolutionizing the job-matching process through AI innovation. In the era of Machine Learning and Large Language Models, Bossjob is privileged to build its own model on the shoulders of NVIDIA, constructing a new-generation talent matching engine. The H100 provides substantial support, and after two beta version tests, it will soon be deployed in Bossjob’s production environment,” Quak said.

Bossjob is dedicated to enhancing the online job-hunting experience by addressing the limitations of its current recommendation system. The existing system, which relies on Amazon Personalize, doesn't generate job recommendations on real-time data, causing delays for new employers and job seekers.

To overcome these challenges, Bossjob is developing a custom machine-learning framework that provides immediate AI-driven job recommendations. This will ensure faster and more accurate job matches, improving the experience for users.

By creating its own recommendation model, Bossjob will be able to tailor the system to better meet users' needs and quickly adapt to new job markets. With NVIDIA’s advanced H100 servers, Bossjob is poised to deliver top-tier, efficient job-matching services, resulting in a more streamlined and effective job-hunting process.

Since entering the Philippine market in 2018, Bossjob has been at the forefront of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge technologies to redefine professional hiring. The platform introduced an innovative mobile, direct chat, and AI-matching model that connects highly suitable candidates with employers and matches job seekers with relevant opportunities. As a result, over 80% of job seekers initiated chats with employers upon joining the platform, and employers responded at an impressive average rate of 70%. These interactions have led to a successful matching rate of approximately 50%.

Early this year, Bossjob introduced new features that connect users to global and remote job opportunities aimed at bridging SEA talents with careers worldwide, emphasizing flexibility in work arrangements.

Currently serving over 3 million active users in the Philippines and other Asian markets, including Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Indonesia, Bossjob aims to reach over 30 million users in SEA by 2026. As part of its global expansion efforts, it has started offering free services this year.

For more information about Bossjob’s participation in the NVIDIA Inception Program and to explore your next career opportunity, visit the Bossjob website at https://bossjob.ph/.