by admin | Nov 28, 2015 | Tech Talk
By: Jerome Auza
Embedded computing enthusiasts have reason to celebrate in November 2015. Raspberry Pi Foundation, the developer and manufacturer of the Raspberry Pi embedded computers, announced the immediate availability of the latest model of the Raspberry Pi series of products. The Raspberry Pi Zero is available for $5 per unit and the specs are quite decent for the price:
A Broadcom BCM2835 application processor
1GHz ARM11 core (40% faster than Raspberry Pi 1)
512MB of LPDDR2 SDRAM
A micro-SD card slot
A mini-HDMI socket for 1080p60 video output
Micro-USB sockets for data and power
An unpopulated 40-pin GPIO header
Identical pinout to Model A+/B+/2B
An unpopulated composite video header
A very small form factor at 65mm x 30mm x 5mm
Eben Upton, Raspberry Pi Founder, announced the availability of the Raspberry Pi Zero on his blog at https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-zero/ on November 26, 2015. He said that the cost of the computer is important in increasing the chance that people will get involved in programming.
The Raspberry Pi Zero runs on Raspbian, an operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution. The application possibilities on a Raspberry Pi Zero are endless. As long as the application doesn’t required extensive processing power, very large memory or lots of fast storage, it can be done on the Raspberry Pi Zero.
This development comes at the time when the buzzword “Internet of Things”, essentially a machine-to-machine network, is very popular. In the very near future, it will be possible to link up various appliances, equipment, devices, sensors, cameras and many other things so that these can perform many tasks in an automated manner based on the user’s input or pre-defined behavior. One of the barriers of the Internet of Things is the cost of the processing unit. At $5 each, the Raspberry Pi Zero may be the wrecking ball to break this barrier.
In education, it can be used to help students learn about programming and interfacing of computers to external inputs and outputs. For hobbyists, this could enable them to tinker with more applications that may eventually lead to very useful ones.
As of this writing though, most of the online stores that sold the Raspberry Pi Zero are out of stock already. Upton expects that supply will be able to catch up with demand soon.
The $5 computer: Raspberry Pi Zero.
by admin | Nov 28, 2015 | Local News / Bohol Balita, Major Events
In an earnest effort to enhance food sufficiency and sustainability likewise boost the morale of the farmers, the Municipal Agriculture Office with the full support of its municipal mayor, Engr. Christopher B. Tutor, made it best to successfully host the 2nd Farmers Day, today, November 28, 2015 at the Municipal Plaza.
The activity was opened with a parade participated by the local farmers, fisherfolk and women sectors. It was followed with a short program integrated with the coronation rites of the Hari sa Kaumahan and Rayna sa Panimalay as well as the mass Oath Taking ceremony of the farmers, rural improvement club and fisherfolk associations’ officers.
Techno-demo, “pinaka” contest, distribution of fingerlings were also conducted in the afternoon. Showcasing of booths by participating barangays was also done during the same period.
Among the special guests during the said event were Mayor Tutor together with the Sangguniang Bayan members and barangay captains, Dr. Carolyn May O. Daquio, ATI-7 Center Director, Mr. Fortunato Cosap of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture, Director Leo Bongalos, Provincial Director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Board Member Elpidio M. Jala who mostly expressed full support to agriculture.
In his message, Mayor Tutor encouraged the local stakeholders to make said affair a yearly activity as agriculture is something of great importance to everyone’s life. He said he is open to opinions or suggestions which can improve said sector and is willing to extend support to rural-based organizations that have project proposals intended for agro-fishery-based income generating projects. He also emphasized that one has to do all means to avail of any possible grant or services which can improve his life so that he will not be blaming the government once he experienced misery due to poverty.
Likewise, Dr. Daquio boosted the farmers’ spirit by recognizing their importance to the society being the one who produce foods for them. She also emphasized that they should not consider their job as something of low worth but be proud instead to introduce themselves as farmers#30.Judith S. Villamor, MPIO-Candijay
by admin | Nov 28, 2015 | Local News / Bohol Balita
Candijaynons from all walks of life mingled with some visitors today, November 29, 2015, for a special celebration which marked the 161st founding anniversary of its state and prime church in town, the Saint Joseph Parish.
Candijay was said to have been officially institutionalized as a town the same day with the Roman Catholic Church, the Saint Joseph Parish of barangay Poblacion, last November 29, 1854.
Spearheaded by its active local chief executive, Engr. Christopher B. Tutor, the Local Government Unit set two-day activities intended for such milestone. It was opened with a Farmers Day on the first day which was attended mostly by members of the rural- based organizations composing farmers, fisherfolk and women association. A local Inter-High School Volleyball competition was also exhibited along with such affair.
Just on the date of the founding anniversary, a Holy Mass was being celebrated. It was followed with a Grand Parade, short program, field demonstrations on mass dances and drum and lyre corps which made up the whole morning session. In the afternoon, another set of Volleyball games were also conducted.
The said event was ended with the lighting of trees commencing the LGU’s Christmas celebration, a Live Band Presentation by Super dad’s Band, a Dance Performance by the AV Dance Academy and disco#30.Judith S. Villamor, MPIO-Candijay
by admin | Nov 28, 2015 | Local News / Bohol Balita
CABAYUGAN, Calape – The seven puroks in this hinterland barangay of Calape were the recent beneficiaries of healthy female carabaos which the farmer-beneficiaries greatly welcomed to support their livelihood thru farming.
The carabao dispersal was made possible thru the Countryside Development Program-Purok Power Movement (CDP-PPM) of the provincial government of Bohol. Gov. Edgar Chatto personally turned over the seven carabaos to the barangay officials then to the purok leaders-beneficiaries during the recent mini agri-HEAT caravan, medical and dental outreach at said barangay.
Brgy Capt. Juanita Carajay was profuse in her thanks to the governor for the PPM’s presence in her barangay saying that a lot has improved in their area since the PPM came. And this caravan and outreach is just one tangible proof of the promise of the provincial government that services and development will be brought to the front yard of every barangay to help the constituents achieve the socio-economic development, which is also the main thrust of the CDP-PPM.
But one long-term support the PPM brought to the barangay are the capacity development for its constituents down to the purok and sitios that empowers them to be better leaders through the purok sectoral working committees (SWCs).
Gov. Chatto, in his message said that one clear proof that a purok or sitio is capacitated and empowered and is united is just by looking at its purok centers. The structure may be modest but if it is strong and not reclining or tilting, clean and not unkempt and with bulletin or information boards present, it means the people in the purok gets to meet often and discuss about programs, even at their own level, that would improve their life. That the purok may not necessarily depend or wait for the barangay or the municipal officials to provide for all its needs. This is the essence of the CDP-PPM.
Though the governor admitted that unlike the rain that pours down from the heavens simultaneously, the implementation of the PPM in the barangays in the province is done by batches since the Prosperity Team (ProTeam) that will go and stay with the barangays will still have to capacitate the community through the capacity development trainings and creation of purok SWCs.
Aside from the carabaos, the residents also received 30 heads of native chicken, 100 bags of organic fertilizers, assorted vegetable seeds, rice seeds, coconut seedlings, free haircut and tuli from the 302nd Brigade and 47th Infantry Battalion, free dental services from the Provincial Health Office (PHO), free animal consultation and medicines from Office of Provincial Veterinarian (OPV), free consultation and medicines from the Medical Outreach Unit of the Office of the Governor.
Liza Quirog, chair of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the CDP-PPM is grateful that the barangay officials and residents alike of Cabayugan appreciated and have benefited from the programs of the provincial government particularly the CDP-PPM.
CDP-PPM is a multi-sectoral socio-economic development program of the province being implemented in about 85 barangays in the province and is growing with the numerous requests from other barangays hoping CDP-PPM will also be implemented in their barangays. Being multi-sectoral, other government agencies that are members of the TWG handles the response of the request of the barangays depending on where the program is being anchored. For instance, for request on agricultural and livelihood assistance, the OPA handles this request and the OPV for the request on native chicken and carabaos.
When asked whether she is ready to be the subject of another issue due to the procurement of these carabaos and native chicken, Quirog said that she has always been confident in all procurements of the provincial government, such as that of the PPM since all procurements of the Capitol, including that of the carabaos are aboveboard since it underwent the usual bidding and procurement processes as required by law. Besides, it is the office concerned who handles the procurement processes of these.
For the carabao procurement, Quirog said that Johnny Samson of the OPV, who is also the provincial artificial insemination coordinator of the province, validated the capacity of the procured carabaos specifically for breeding purposes. Samson said that taken into consideration upon inspection were “the physical characteristic/external features such as body confirmation, structural soundness, health, hereditary defects, good mammary teats and no crooked tails. I also give importance to appearance, temperament, utero-genital and mammary system, feeding capacity and vigor. Besides, the physical characteristics, to check the reproductive system of animals, I conducted rectal palpation which is the most accurate examination of the utero-reproductive organ. For the animals I inspected, I even rejected three carabaos, there were either smaller and bigger in size, which I considered unfit for breeding,” Samson said. Those rejected by Samson were then replaced by the supplier with carabaos that passed the scrutinizing eyes of Samson based on national and international standards.
The procurements were done by the PGBh to respond to the requests of the barangays like the carabaos by virtue of resolutions it submitted to the province thru the PPM. (tltb)
TIARA BULILAN
Communicators Group
by admin | Nov 26, 2015 | National News
Prof. Ruben M. Gamala, Director of the Office of Student Affairs, University of the Philippines Visayas,
hands over the certificate to Aljohn T. Torreta, the first recipient of the Carmudi Philippines Scholarship Program.
Carmudi, the leading online vehicle platform in the Philippines, has selected the son of a fisherman and a vendor as the first sole recipient of its scholarship program. Aljohn Torreta, a senior student from the University of the Philippines Visayas taking up a BA in Communications and Media Studies, was chosen from a highly competitive batch of Cum Laude standing students from different universities who participated nationwide.
In his application letter Aljohn wrote, “I took the initiative to apply for this scholarship grant as a way of helping my parents through our financial crisis. We are six in the family and my parents do not have stable jobs to fulfil all of our financial needs. My father is a local fisherman while my mother is a low-scale fish vendor. I am the only one who is currently enrolled because my parents cannot afford to send all of us to school. I can really feel the pain in their struggle and that keeps my fire burning. I am inspired to at least perform well at university.”
Aljohn was chosen as Carmudi Philippines’ first ever scholar as his diligent and compassionate nature was evident from his good grades and attitude towards his circumstances.
Carmudi’s Scholarship Program was open to senior students who are academically excellent but poor financially and cannot finish their studies without sufficient aid or support from an external donor.
Subir Lohani, Carmudi Philippines Managing Director said, “Building people is the heart of our culture as an organization. Giving financial support and career opportunities to these deserving students is one way for us to extend our helping hand outside our company.”
The benefits of the scholarship program include18,000 Php for a semester, an opportunity to be mentored by the Managing Director of Camudi Philippines for one week and a guaranteed job interview after graduation.
Carmudi, which was launched in October 2013, is a part of the Rocket Internet portfolio which is also behind other online sites such as Lazada and Zalora.
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