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With E-sports growing, businesses taking note

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
LONG considered a “niche” market, E-sports has steadily grown exponentially throughout the years with its upside still deemed very high. Such being the case, many have taken notice, including businesses.
And it is not confined to game developers and tech companies as also those considered “mainstream” have dipped their hands into it.
In the Philippines, among those which have tapped into E-sports are TV5, PLDT, and Smart Communications and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.
Said companies shared that they recognize the burgeoning E-sports scene in the country and have made efforts to cater to the demand for it while also adding dimension to what they are as brands.
TV5, the country’s biggest sports TV network, has added E-sports to its roster of sports programs, regularly showing the biggest international E-sports tournaments both on free TV and through the digital platform.
It is still forging partnerships with different groups to expand its content and was a key proponent for the establishment of The Nationals, the first-ever E-sports franchise model league in the country.
“E-sports was already there even before we partnered with ESPN but now it allows us to cover it even internationally and allows us as well to have bigger opportunity to raise the stakes locally,” said Ralph Aligada, head of E-sports and Gaming for ESPN5, in an interview with BusinessWorld at the recently held E-Sports and Gaming Summit, speaking of the kind of dimension E-sports has brought to their group.
“Technology primarily drives it and us being sister companies with Smart and PLDT, it is logical for us to continue with everything. Our goal is to really make sure that everyone in the industry will get a platform, be legit and to be covered like a sport should be,” he added.
As to the Road to The Nationals, which was launched early this year, Mr. Aligada said reception to it has been warm and it has only encouraged them to keep on going.
“Locally is where the focused of The Nationals is, it is really supporting the ecosystem around E-sports here. And it has been very interesting. Some of our Road to The Nationals events would actually rate higher than some UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) games,” the ESPN5 official said.
Mr. Aligada went on to say that moving forward they are bent on raising their involvement in E-sports.
E-sports 2
“So what we are planning now is professionalizing everything, treating it like how we do it with the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) and [volleyball league] PSL (Philippine Superliga),” he said.
Adding, “The thrust right now is to build the whole infrastructure around it, including finding shoutcasters. Think of it as looking for the next Magoo Marjon (PBA commentator) for E-sports, or the next Andy Jao, or Ed Picson (PBA analysts), because aside from the players, the people covering E-sports are actually celebrities in their own right.”
For PLDT and Smart, the growth of E-sports has also challenged them to up their game in providing the proper connection that is free-flowing and smooth for players to enjoy their games.
“E-sports is a perfect fit for us. For E-sports athletes to really excel they really need good connections to make playing smooth,” said Andrew Santos, FVP-Consumer Marketing Head for PLDT and Smart, in a separate interview.
“We are inspired by the E-sports players, which is why we are really expanding our network. In fact by the end of this year we are going to be covering 90% of all municipalities with Smart LTE. We continue to invest quite significantly in the infrastructure and even Fibre connection, We are expanding very rapidly to ensure that every home and individual, whether at home or on the go, can gain access to good connection,” he added.
On the part of RCBC, meanwhile, it sees value in providing gamers a secured and safe platform to make their in-app and in-game purchases.
In line with this, the bank launched its MyWallet Virtual Card, a reloadable prepaid card for purchases that gamers can use.
“RCBC recognizes the growth of E-sports which has been in existence for years. The games are evolving and it is far from the days when you would queue in the arcades with tokens. The need of the gamers is evolving and that is part of the financial services that we are trying to tap,” said Alvin Perez, portfolio head for digital banking group of RCBC.
“That is why RCBC launched the MyWallet Virtual Card with gamers in mind, to help them in their in-app and in-game purchases. We want to provide our local gamers, both professional and casual ones, that opportunity to have that convenience and sense of security,” he added.
At the current rate things are going for E-sports, Mr. Aligada said it can only be expected to expand in more ways than one moving forward.
“E-sports is the “in” thing now but unlike other sports that is here now and gone later, E-sports is here to stay,” the ESPN official said.

Thompson sets record 14 treys

LOS ANGELES — Klay Thompson set an NBA record with 14 3-pointers as part of a season-high 52-point performance, and the visiting Golden State Warriors stormed to a 149-124 win over the home team Chicago Bulls on Monday night.
The contest never was close as Golden State took aim at the league’s record book.
The Warriors scored 92 points in the first half — the most ever by a road team and the second most of all time behind the Phoenix Suns, who had 107 in the first half against the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 19, 1990.
Golden State led 92-50 at the break. The 42-point margin was the fourth-largest halftime lead in history and the largest lead by a road team.
Thompson finished 14 of 24 from beyond the arc. He exulted and held up three fingers with each hand after his record-breaking 3-ball dropped through the net with 4:53 remaining in the third quarter.
The shot moved Klay Thompson past teammate Steph Curry, who sank 13 3-pointers against the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 8, 2016. Curry did not seem to mind as he laughed with teammates on the bench late in the game.
In 26 minutes of action, Thompson made 18 of 29 field-goal attempts and grabbed five rebounds.
Zach LaVine and Antonio Blakeney paced the Bulls with 21 points apiece. Wendell Carter Jr. (18), Jabari Parker (15) and Cameron Payne (15) were among six players who scored in double digits as Chicago set season highs in both points scored and points allowed.
Curry finished with 23 points on 7-for-9 shooting. He added eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Alfonzo McKinnie also shined with 19 points in 26 minutes off the bench for Golden State, which has won seven of eight games to start the season. Kevin Durant contributed 14 points and eight assists.
But the night belonged to Thompson. Even Bulls fans started cheering him as they realized history was being made.
The eight-year veteran out of Washington State entered the night with five 3-pointers in 36 attempts over seven games on the season. He had six by the end of the first quarter and 10 by the end of the first half, tying Chandler Parsons’ NBA record.
The Warriors fell short of the Suns’ record of 173 points in regulation, also set during the 1990-91 campaign.
BUTLER’S 4TH-QUARTER SURGE LIFTS WOLVES OVER LAKERS
Jimmy Butler made five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and scored 32 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 124-120 win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday in Minneapolis.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks, and rookie guard Josh Okogie scored a season-high 17 points for Minnesota.
LeBron James had 29 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers. Brandon Ingram returned from a four-game suspension and scored 17 of his 24 points in the first half for Los Angeles, and Kyle Kuzma scored 16 of his 19 in the first half.
JaVale McGee added 13 points and Rajon Rondo had 13 points and eight assists off the bench for the Lakers.
Towns gave the Timberwolves their biggest lead of the game at 119-109 when he sank a 3-pointer with 4:56 left to cap a 14-2 run.
The Lakers answered with an 8-0 run, but Taj Gibson blocked Kuzma’s 3-point attempt with 39 seconds remaining, and Butler made his final 3-pointer of the fourth with 19.7 seconds left to make it 122-117.
The Lakers took their biggest lead at 90-85 on a 3-pointer by Lance Stephenson with 3:28 left in the third quarter and maintained a 94-93 advantage entering the fourth.
The Timberwolves took their biggest lead through the first three quarters at 21-13 on two free throws by Jeff Teague with 6:47 left in the first quarter. Towns was whistled for his second foul about a minute later and sat out until the start of the second quarter, when Minnesota maintained a 36-32 advantage.
The Lakers scored the final five points of the first half to take 66-64 lead into the break.
James scored 10 points in the second quarter after going scoreless in the opening 12 minutes.
Minnesota small forward Andrew Wiggins, third on the team in scoring last season at 17.7 points per game, missed his third consecutive game due to a quad injury.
SIMMONS HELPS BALANCED 76ERS HANDLE HAWKS AGAIN
Ben Simmons scored 21 points to lead seven Philadelphia 76ers players in double figures in a 113-92 rout of the visiting Atlanta Hawks Monday night.
Simmons, who registered his first 20-plus point effort of the season, also had 12 rebounds and nine assists. It was the 21st time in Simmons’ young career that he has scored at least 20 points.
Fultz scored a career-high 16 points while Muscala and Redick added 14 apiece for the Sixers, who won their second straight. Landry Shamet also scored 13 points and Robert Covington had 11. Joel Embiid had a relatively quiet game with 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
The Sixers defeated Atlanta for the fifth consecutive time.
Kent Bazemore led the Hawks with 18 points while Trae Young, Omari Spellman and Dewayne Dedmon added 11 each.
The Hawks shot just eight of 37 from 3-point range as they dropped their second in a row
The game was tied at 47 at halftime with Dario Saric missing all seven of his shots.
Bazemore had 10 points for the Hawks and was the only player on either team to reach double figures by the half.
The Sixers began to pull away midway through the third with a 15-4 run to take a 67-55 advantage. Simmons then followed with a layup for a 69-55 lead with 4:33 left in the third. Simmons scored 15 of his 21 points through that stage in the third.
Philadelphia outscored the Hawks 31-13 in the third to go ahead 78-60.
Atlanta was just 5 of 25 from beyond the arc through the third.
After Dedmon knocked down a 3-pointer, Muscala came right back for the Sixers with a baseline trey for an 88-69 lead with 8:54 remaining. The lead soon swelled to 94-72 when Shamet hit a 3-pointer.
Simmons sat out the final six-plus minutes with the game well in hand for the Sixers.
The Hawks continued to struggle with their shooting the rest of the way and ultimately were blown out. — Reuters

Jun Miras: Building on and sustaining the Azkals brand

WHILE the “Azkals” brand has been quite known for years now, much can still be done to build on it and make it sustainable for the long term. Thus, said, recently appointed marketing and promotions manager of the Philippine men’s national football team, Melchor “Jun” Miras, Jr.
Made his mark as executive of one of the top advertising companies in the land which specializes in Out-Of-Home (OOH) media, Mr. Miras has joined the Azkals group and said he is looking forward to providing his fair share in furthering the Azkals brand, and football in the country in general.
In a casual meet-and-greet with members of media on Oct. 23 at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City, Mr. Miras, 42, said his involvement now with the Azkals is in honor of a bet he made with longtime Azkals team manager Dan Palami.
But despite the circumstances that landed him the Azkals job, Mr. Miras said he is very much committed to the task he and his team were given and bent on seeing it succeed.
“What we are trying to do here is to show that the Philippine Azkals are marketable not only here but also abroad. We want more people to get to know what the team is all about not only on a game-for-game basis but more of branding really, with direction and for the long term,” said Mr. Miras, whose background is in information technology and had worked for government previously.
The Azkals executive said he had signed a five-year contract with the Philippine Football Federation which began in September.
In coordination with the Azkals management, Mr. Miras is tasked to put out the Azkals message across various media platforms as well as through merchandises and advertising.
They are also expected to negotiate with possible corporate sponsors who can help the team finance their training both here and abroad, acquire necessary equipment, and attract quality coaches and players to join the team for future competitions.
One of the early “fruits” of their efforts was the recent signing of former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to be the new Azkals coach.
While at the time of the meet-and-greet Mr. Miras held up in making the announcement, he did say that such signings are part of their tack, and that hopefully with Mr. Eriksson on board more players will be attracted to join the Azkals.
The newly appointed advertising manager of the Azkals said he and the PFF have set an initial number amount of to be raised in his first year but refused to provide more details on it for now.
A TEMPLATE
Apart from helping the Azkals brand grow, Mr. Miras shared that what made him join the team as well is to be able to provide a template for sports advertising in the country.
“We want to set a standard in sports advertising. Right now, if you don’t own a team, you cannot advertise it. So what we’re trying to do is build a total advertising package for a Philippine team, so we can do this later for baseball, volleyball or basketball. We’re trying to build a template,” Mr. Miras said.
Right now, Mr. Miras and his team are busy laying the work for the Azkals’ two major upcoming tournaments, namely the AFF Suzuki Cup in November and the AFC Asian Cup in January.
Mr. Miras said he is very excited for this latest challenge presented to him and that he hopes that since the Azkals is the country’s team, more people would get on board and rally behind it. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Chicano seizes Tri-Factor International Triathlon title

JOHN Leerams Chicano of Go For Gold Philippines never goes tired of conducting triathlon clinics in rural areas in search of future triathlon talents.
The national team mainstay has once again inspired those young triathletes under his tutelage after recently winning the prestigious Tri-Factor International Triathlon in Quzhou, China.
Chicano, a silver medalist in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, ruled the men’s standard distance with an impressive clocking of two hours, nine minutes and 17 seconds in a tough field that attracted over 400 participants.
Several top-tier international triathletes joined the 1.5-km swim, 40km bike and 10km run event, including New Zealand world champion Cameron Brown, Japanese Olympian Hiroyuki Nishiuchi and Fang Zhou, China’s No. 1 triathlete.
“To win in an international race with some of the best triathletes in the world is something that our country should really be proud of,” said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go.
“Chicano has become an inspiration to all our young triathletes who are motivated to follow his footsteps as we aim to produce the first Filipino Olympian in the sport,” added Go.
With the support of Go For Gold, Chicano has delved into a grassroots outreach program for the sport along with national team head coach, Melvin Fausto.
Their efforts have produced a youth development squad based in Cebu that regularly grabs the limelight whenever they hit the road in local races nationwide.
Brown, who won the Ironman 12 times in his career, topped the Tri-Factor Endro category in 3:36:40 while Li Jianqiang of China clocked 1:16:16 to secure the crown in the sprint distance.
Chen Cheng was the top female on the TF Endro distance with a time of 4:41:25. Heather De Freitas won the women’s standard distance with a time of 2:35:14 while Li Fang topped the Women’s sprint distance in 1:34:17.

Brady, Patriots beat up on Bills

NEW YORK — Tom Brady threw for 324 yards as the New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 25-6 on Monday night in Orchard Park, N.Y., for their fifth consecutive win.
Having averaged 39.3 points over their previous four games, the Patriots (6-2) didn’t reach the end zone until James White’s 1-yard touchdown plunge with just under 10 minutes remaining.
Devin McCourty returned an interception 84 yards for New England’s other touchdown, and Stephen Gostkowski made four field goals. — Reuters

Rookie of the Year

Handing of individual awards for Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines is still weeks away but this early I am calling the winner for Rookie of the Year.
My choice for top UAAP freshman for this season? University of Santo Tomas’ CJ Cansino.
Last season’s UAAP juniors most valuable player while playing for the UST Tiger Cubs, Cansino is transitioning quite well in seniors play.
In 10 games to date, Cansino is averaging 13.3 points, 11 rebounds (fourth in the league) and 3.8 assists (third) per game.
More importantly, he has helped a rookie-laden UST squad make heads turn in the ongoing season of the UAAP.
Currently the Tigers are at solo fourth place with a 5-5 record and making a strong claim for one of the Final Four spots heading into the wind-up of the elimination round, not bad for a team that at season’s start was deemed to struggle being a rebuilding team and all.
And the thing about the game of the 6’1” wingman Cansino, apart from the steady stellar numbers, is how he does it seemingly in an effortless manner.
Rarely have I seen him overextend himself like most of the league stars right now yet he does not fail to leave his imprint on games.
He is playing “within the system” laid out by UST coach Aldin Ayo and is delivering accordingly.
Case in point was their recent game against the University of the East Red Warriors on Oct. 28 where UST emerged on top, 79-68, and Cansino finishing with a triple-double of 20 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
I was there at the FilOil Flying V Centre covering the match and did not sense that he was going for a triple-double.
He just went about his game, doing what he is capable of and adjusting to what was presented to him – another day in the office so to speak – and voila the stat sheet showed a TD for the rookie by the end of the game.
Quite deservingly so, the triple-double showing against UE earned for Cansino his second UAAP player of the week honors, given by the league press corps.
At the current rate he is going, and how willing he is to continue developing his game, I do not see any other freshman player stopping Cansino from claiming the rookie of the year.
Mind you, I also like Dave Ildefonso (14.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 2.5 apg) of National University, who will be the cornerstone of that team, but with the Bulldogs struggling collectively and lagging behind in the standings, my vote goes to Cansino.
Heck, if UST manages to land in the Final Four, I would not be surprised if Cansino figures in the mythical selection and, even, MVP talk.
In winning his second player of the week award, Cansino beat out teammate Marvin Lee, Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena, La Salle’s Brandon Bates, and Adamson’s Jerrick Ahanmisi.
NOTE: The UAAP is temporarily taking a break for the All Soul’s holiday and will resume action on Nov. 3 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. Seeing action are La Salle versus UST at 2 p.m. and University of the Philippines against NU at 4 p.m.
 
Michael Angelo S. Murillo has been a columnist since 2003. He is a BusinessWorld reporter covering the Sports beat.
msmurillo@bworldonline.com

Hot hand

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t sound worried at all. Asked about starting guard Klay Thompson’s horrible shooting woes, he told the assembled media over the weekend that the answer lies in better ball movement. And he was speaking in terms of when, not if. No doubt, it helps that he has a historically loaded roster at his disposal; when Most Valuable Player awardees Steph Curry and Kevin Durant are on the floor, open shots will be the rule and not the exception.
Kerr was, needless to say, likewise speaking from his experience, both as a former player with a similarly smooth stroke from the perimeter and as a mentor privy to Thompson’s singular work ethic. So what if the latter had hit just five of 36 attempts from three-point land through the first seven games of the season? The poor percentage from the small sample size was but an outlier in a sterling body of work that helped contribute to four Finals appearances and three titles over the last four years.
True enough, Thompson broke out of his slump yesterday. And, as if to prove Kerr’s point, he did so in unparalleled fashion, putting up an eye-popping 52 points through just 27 minutes of play. He had the scientifically dubious but anecdotally apt hot hand from the get-go, and when he sank his 14th three-pointer with 4:53 left in the third quarter, he saw fit to celebrate with gusto. Needless to say, the Warriors — and especially Curry, whose record he had just smashed — celebrated with him.
Given Thompson’s crucial but relatively released-of-pressure role with the Warriors, it’s no wonder that he has expressed a preference to stay in the fold. Free agency is coming at the end of the season, but continued individual and collective successes have dampened whatever wanderlust he may have harbored at one time or another. He will have more downs, for sure, but for as long as the ups keep coming, he knows he’s exactly where he needs to be.
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

Suzuki: Preview of all-new Jimny mini off-roader steals show

Text and photos by Kap Maceda Aguila

WITH the tantalizing unveiling of multiple units of a much-awaited mini 4×4 SUV badge, one could say that Suzuki Philippines (SPH) arguably annexed the 7th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) crown of popularity. Its scheduled opening program at the PIMS last week was an unmitigated hit — packed with people who attended the revelation that eventually climaxed with a rousing musical number of a popular rock star.
This SUV is the fourth-generation Jimny, a model born in 1970. According to Suzuki, 2.85 million units of the Jimny (and its various names) have been sold in 194 countries and regions as of March this year. Production of the latest iteration commenced in Japan last May, and after official images made it online last June, a lot of Filipino car aficionados and fans of the marque/nameplate had clamored for the model’s release here.
Suzuki Philippines (SPH) saw an opportunity in the PIMS to further whet (and perhaps, test) the local market’s appetite. Concurred SPH vice president and general manager for automobile Shuzo Hoshikura to BusinessWorld; “We were able to show our new Jimny last July 2018 in Japan, [and] once our mother company started [revealing] it to our media friends abroad, many people started asking about our Jimny in the Philippines. [Showing] the Jimny in this motor show was not part of our original plan, but we decided on it anyway because the PIMS is a big opportunity for us to bring several units into the Philippines.”
RETRO STYLING
The all-new Jimny is marked by fun, retro styling meant to match its adventurous capabilities. Its fascia features the return of familiar round headlamps — now equipped with washers as standard for its LED beams. The angled bumpers provide more wheel clearance in aid of climbing ability, while a drip rail prevents water from dripping off the sides of the roof and into the driver’s and passenger’s windows. Inside, the Jimny boasts significant updates as well.
As a proper 4×4 vehicle, the Jimny has a “robust ladder frame, three ample body angles, three-link rigid axle suspensions with coil springs and 4WD with a low-range transfer gear.” Approach, break-over, and departure angles are 37, 28, and 49 degrees, respectively, while ground clearance is 210 millimeters. Motivation is provided by a 1.5-liter engine delivering 100hp and 130Nm to move the 1,435-kilogram (gross weight) vehicle.
SPH has announced a tentative pricing of P1.1 million, but it is still unclear if the tag refers to the five-speed manual transmission variant or the four-speed automatic. The Jimny will be made available in the first half of 2019.
BEARISH
As for unit reservations, Mr. Hoshikura confirmed that Suzuki’s 71 dealerships and authorized outlets are accepting queuing customers. “We want to ask our customer to visit our showrooms to see the actual Jimny. Our dealer can accept reservations. Of course, we will be able to consolidate all information nationwide about these reservations, meaning we are able to know how many customers want to get the Jimny. By using this information, we will talk with our manufacturer that we have customers,” said the executive.
He observed that the local market “is not so aggressive… because of TRAIN [Tax Reform and Inclusion excise tax changes] and the fuel price hike,” and is conservative about sales expectations for next year. However, there is a bright spot in the generally bearish market. “[SPH] performance has been opposite; [the] industry is down but we are still growing, meaning our market in the Philippines may start thinking that, even with a small car, we can go anywhere.”
On the back of Suzuki’s small cars such as the Dzire and Swift, Mr. Hoshikura is counting on leveraging the impact of high fuel prices. “We hope our autos have a chance at improved sales in the Philippines even next year.”
By the way, the rock star mentioned at the outset is Bamboo, who sang, among other songs, his hit “Hallelujah,” — exactly what Jimny fans must have exclaimed at the reveal of the new 4×4.

MITSUBISHI: e-Evolution Concept heralds brand’s focus on EV, AI, SUVs

FOR Mitsubishi Motors, the future rests on electric mobility, artificial intelligence and the development of SUVs. And capturing these areas in one halo model is the car maker’s e-Evolution Concept, which it unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2017. At PIMS, this concept model continues to highlight what Mitsubishi calls its “new brand strategy” in which the strengths of an electric-powered SUV is fused with new connected mobility systems.
Two of these areas are actually nothing new for Mitsubishi — it was among the first to build a modern, more family car-like SUV (its Pajero of 1982) and also a mass-produced full-electric car (its i-MiEV of 2009). In 2013 the company combined the two systems in the Outlander PHEV, a plug-in hybrid crossover.
Locally, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation has been actively pursuing through partnerships with government and other organizations for the eventual mainstream use of EVs.
The e-Evolution is laying the groundwork for this (not only in the Philippines but globally as well). Billed as an “all-electric, high-performance SUV,” the e-Evolution is intended to integrate new connected mobility systems, including on-board and cloud computing capabilities.

Mitsubishi 2
Mitsubishi e-Evolution Concept captures brand’s new strategy in which the strengths of an electric-powered SUV is fused with connected mobility systems. — ALL PHOTOS: BRIAN M. AFUANG

It is propelled by electric motors juiced by high-capacity batteries, whose placement — in the middle, under the floor — lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity, helping in making the e-Evolution more stable. Because it’s an SUV, it gets a four-wheel drive system consisting of an electric motor that drives the front wheels, and two others for each of the rear wheels. The rear motors are paired to an active yaw control that electronically allocates the torque to the wheel that has more traction underneath. Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control vehicle dynamic control system, used on some of the brand’s existing four-wheel drive models, also finds its way to the concept vehicle.
An AI system augments the e-Evolution’s driver’s skills via an array of sensors that instantly read changes in road and traffic conditions, as well as the driver’s intent, to maximize vehicle performance. The car’s AI can also “coach” the driver to improve his or her skills, or even form a training program that communicates through voice dialogue and a large dashboard display.
Significantly, the e-Evolution Concept has already served, to varying degrees, its role as a bank of inspiration for three current Mitsubishi models — the latest Outlander PHEV, Eclipse Cross crossover and Xpander.
Along with the concept car, Mitsubshi at PIMS displayed (and offered up for test-drives) the Xpander, Montero Sport, Strada and the Mirage G4. — BMA

NISSAN: New 370Z, Juke add to Nismo lineup; heavily modified Navara teased, too


“Welcome to the Nissan Motor Show, er, Philippine International Motor Show,” jested Nissan Philippines, Inc. president Ramesh Narasimhan as he stood in the middle of the brand’s exhibit floor — the most expansive at the event.
The executive had a couple of other reasons to crow about; among those displayed at the Nissan booth were the 370Z Nismo and Juke Nismo, both models set to be sold locally in late 2019. The high-performance 370Z and Juke will join in Nissan Philippines’ lineup the legendary GT-R.
Nismo stands for Nissan Motorsports (established in 1984), which serves as Nissan’s works division. It is the outfit from where the brand’s special road cars, race machines and everything in between that’s related to high performance spring. A Nismo badge tacked on a Nissan road car marks this as an exclusive version. Nismo parts and kit promise looks and athleticism. Nismo builds Nissan’s array of racecars.
“We have definitely seen a lot of interest and positive response to the GT-R Nismo, and we want to reach more Filipinos looking for more excitement in their cars through this latest offering of performance vehicles,” Mr. Narasimhan said.
Marking out the 370Z Nismo are its GTR-inspired aero kit that not only make the car look more aggressive, but also increases down-force in the front and rear. Powering the car is a 3.7-liter V6 engine that, with the help of variable valve event and lift control, makes 350hp and 374Nm. It has tuned independent suspension enhanced by a strut tower brace and a pair of performance dampers.
The Juke Nismo also gets the division’s signature aerodynamic pieces, as well as Nissan’s I-CON, which offers a selection of driving modes (economy to sport).
“Nismo makes it possible for drivers to experience the ultimate Nissan performance every day,” said Hiroshi Tamura, chief product specialist of Nismo, and who has developed the GT-R from the model’s R33 generation. “It’s everything from functional design to race-proven engineering that brings back the thrill of the drive.”
With Mr. Tamura presenting the 370Z and Juke Nismo, his greatest creation to date could not have been someplace else — and it wasn’t. Displayed along the newly announced models was the GT-R Nismo, which Nissan had previewed locally earlier this year.
As commanding as the Nismo trio were, the Nissan Navara Warrior X Special Edition also drew the attention of show visitors. The concept truck, according to Nissan, “unlocks the possibilities offered by the Navara’s overall versatility and timeless design.” It has a custom front and rear design, upgraded suspension, higher stance, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a special leather interior. No word yet whether this Navara variant will make it to Nissan showrooms.
But, then, who would have thought the Nismo models would? — BMA

A postscript to the 2018 Philippine International Motor Show

Was it just me or was the seventh edition of the Philippine International Motor Show held from October 24 to 28 a bit underwhelming? Was I just jaded or did the biennial automotive event have a generally soporific effect? Was I just under the weather on opening day or was the main exhibition hall a little too dull?
If I were to rate the show in just one word, I’d say it was tired (dead tired if you want two).
I missed the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but I expected to walk into a heart-thumping gathering of the biggest car companies in the market. This, after all, was organized by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI), the largest industry organization whose members include Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Isuzu, and Suzuki, among others. The most popular Japanese brands in the country, in other words.
And so I don’t think I was being naive by looking forward to a grand celebration of automobiles. Add to this the fact that PIMS is held just once every other year, and you have no choice but to forgive me for assuming the World Trade Center would throb with palpable excitement.
I was wrong.
The moment I walked past the security personnel manning the entrance, I immediately sensed a lack of electricity in the air. Never mind the obvious shortage of visitors relative to the previous editions (or indeed relative to the Manila International Auto Show, or MIAS). When walking around a car show, I actually prefer a sparse crowd to a jam-packed room. From a visitor’s perspective, I like the feeling of spaciousness versus that of suffocation. If MIAS were SM City, PIMS would be Estancia. And my kind of mall is the latter, not the former.
So when I give this year’s PIMS a less-than-satisfactory grade, I’m not referring to the attendance (although a few industry executives did admit to me that PIMS 2018 was truly unexceptional on the basis of turnout alone). When I say the show felt (and looked) tired, I mean exactly that. It seemed like a chore on the part of the car brands. It struck me as an every-other-year obligation among the CAMPI distributors — something that had to be done as opposed to something they wanted to do.
During lunch, I heard more than one person note that the mood was kind of down, and that perhaps it was because industry sales were down. But see, this is exactly why the automakers needed to put on a show — to throw a party so euphoric that people would never even suspect there was something wrong with the market. Save for a couple of brands — the very ones that are performing particularly well sales-wise this year — the average booth vibe was tepid.
Sure, there were some concept cars and a handful of modestly modified vehicles, but the whole place appeared to be nothing more than an assembly of dealers at a regular selling event. The show’s most popular car — the new Suzuki Jimny — provided some amusement. The Nissan Navara Warrior X was a conversation piece. Pocholo Ramirez’s Mazda Miata probably appealed to the sentimental. Beyond them and the curious-looking concept cars from Toyota and Mitsubishi, there was nothing much to see, really. Even the area for aftermarket parts and affiliate products looked thin. I’m not sure if the visitors walked away feeling like they got their money’s worth.
I think I know why MIAS trumps PIMS in terms of fun factor and entertainment value every single time. MIAS is organized by car-loving businessmen who will move heaven and earth to satisfy their customers (so these customers will come back year after year). PIMS, on the other hand, is organized by an industry association that is simply tasked to stage it because it has to. And it shows.
Unsolicited, humble advice? For the eighth edition in 2020, hand over the logistics and the promotion to individuals who understand what car fans want to see in a motor show. Maybe the electricity will come back.

DICT, Kaspersky renew commitment to develop cybersecurity in gov't

By Anna Gabriela A. Mogato
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab signed another memorandum of understanding (MOU) to improve cybersecurity in the public sector.
In a statement made late Monday, Kaspersky said that the MOU, which was signed during the first Philippine International Cybersecurity Conference last week, further strengthens their commitment to support the country’s national cybersecurity framework.
“With the country’s strong and steady economic growth combined with its highly active online citizens, the steps being taken by the government come at a time when Filipinos need heightened cybersecurity measures the most,” said Yeo Siang Tiong, Kaspersky Lab’s General Manager for Southeast Asia in the same statement.
Under the MOU, both parties will establish a tuition-based training programs for the government, research and competence centers, as well as universities. This seeks to address the gap in IT security skills in the country.
Kaspersky will also support the government’s cybersecurity awareness drive, give assistance in cybercrime investigations, and comply with the transparency measures amid its ongoing Global Transparency Initiative launched last year.
According to Kaspersky Lab’s second-quarter cyberthreat report, the Philippines is the ninth-most attacked country in terms of online threats with around 10.6 million web infections recorded. Out of all the web infections, 39% of these were against individual internet users while 11% of these targeted businesses.
“Our experience at Kaspersky Lab alone shows how a collective approach in battling cybercrime is very effective at demystifying the most complex of cyberthreats and keeping ahead of the cyber criminals,” Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific Managing Director Stephan Neumeier said.
“With our cybersecurity expertise, we hope to support the Philippines the best way we can as we do with other governments around the world,” he added.
DICT Assistant Secretary Allan Cabanlong in the same statement said that Kaspersky has “been offering invaluable support” by providing new insights and information on cyberthreats.
“We hope that this holistic private-public cooperation will be a fine example of how information and expertise-sharing will be highly beneficial to the public ultimately,” he added.
“We are confident that this partnership will bring forth a positive impact not just on the Philippines’ national cyberdefenses but also on the lives of ordinary Filipino citizens.”

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