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HomeTechnologyDevFest 2019: Strengthening linkages

DevFest 2019: Strengthening linkages

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BACOLOD CITY – A good two hours before DevFest 2019 started, Jake Pomperada was already in the venue, waiting for fellow participants of what could well be one of the biggest gatherings of developers in Negros Occidental.

GDG Community Leader Rics Rojas does some behind-the-scenes work as he supervises DevFest 2019.
GDG Community Leader Rics Rojas does some behind-the-scenes work as he supervises DevFest 2019.

As organizers and staff are putting the final touches on the venue, Jake sits in one corner, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible as he waits for the confab to officially kick off.

Powered by sponsors SkySwitch and HYBrain Development Corporation, and organized by GDG led by its community leader Rics Rojas, the event is expected to gather about 300 student and professional developers from all over the province.

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TECHIES UNITE. Participants from all over Negros Occidental converge in Function Hall A as they await the start of talks that range from cybersecurity to artificial intelligence. The talks are part of DevFest 2019, a gathering of developers here at Ayala Malls Capitol Central. Text by Hannah A. Papasin, photo by Richard D.  Meriveles
TECHIES UNITE. Participants from all over Negros Occidental converge in Function Hall A as they await the start of talks that range from cybersecurity to artificial intelligence. The talks are part of DevFest 2019, a gathering of developers here at Ayala Malls Capitol Central. Text by Hannah A. Papasin, photo by Richard D. Meriveles

“I always welcome opportunities like this one. I want to know the latest technology Google offers,” Jake said, adding that it would be useful for his work as science research specialist in one of the state-run universities here.

Jake’s sentiment is not unique. After all, how often do these many developers and programmers — whether students or professionals — gather for the opportunity to learn from experts not just to listen to the tech-laden talks but to do hands-on work via code labs?

PRE-TALK PICTORIAL. Students from I-Tech Computer Education, Inc. took time for selfies before the GDG tarps. The students are among the hundreds of participants for this year's DevFest, a gathering of developers and developer communities held here at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central. Photo and text by Hannah A. Papasin
PRE-TALK PICTORIAL. Students from I-Tech Computer Education, Inc. took time for selfies before the GDG tarps. The students are among the hundreds of participants for this year’s DevFest, a gathering of developers and developer communities held here at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central. Photo and text by Hannah A. Papasin

Engineer Mia Sobrepeña-Quidato, a professor and head of Computer Engineering of the University of St. La Salle, said opportunities to learn afforded by DevFest are always welcome.

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“For educators, it is important to be at par with industry standards and updates,” Mia tells DNX, saying that instructors in her field should immerse themselves on the ground to be updated with the technology.

BUSTLING. A crowd has started to gather in front of Function Hall A of the Ayala Malls Capitol Central as DevFest 2019 is about to start.  Text by Hannah A. Papasin, photo by Jose Aaron Abinosa.  Taken during the google devfest 2019 at Ayala Malls Capitol, Bacolod City.
BUSTLING. A crowd has started to gather in front of Function Hall A of the Ayala Malls Capitol Central as DevFest 2019 is about to start. Text by Hannah A. Papasin, photo by Jose Aaron Abinosa.

USLS student Trolls Jareta freely volunteered to help in the DevFest. One of the students of Rhix Rojas, Trolls says DevFest offers a great opportunity not just to learn but also to know the stalwarts in the industry.

This is in preparation for a career in development or IT later on, he said.

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FROM A.I. TO CYBERSECURITY

How secure are your business’ data systems against digital attacks?

To Nathu Nandwani, one of the speakers tapped by GDG, cybersecurity is often under-discussed which is why events like the DevFest are great opportunities to raise awareness on the issue.

Singapore-based security consultant Nathu Nandwani talks about the need to beef up cybersecurity to guard against potential digital attacks.  Text by Hannah A. Papasin, photo by Richard D. Meriveles
Singapore-based security consultant Nathu Nandwani talks about the need to beef up cybersecurity to guard against potential digital attacks. Text by Hannah A. Papasin, photo by Richard D. Meriveles

Nathu, security consultant for Vantage Point Security Singapore, said cybersecurity should now be a crucial part of any business’ systems especially with the passage of the Data Privacy Act.

“Any breach in a company’s security systems would have an effect in that company’s reputation,” he said.

The event drew in hundreds of participants from all over the province to listen to talks that range from Artificial Intelligence and serverless technologies.

GDG Community leader Rics Rojas (leftmost) with DNX webmaster Richard Meriveles and Mozilla Firefox coordinator for Western Visayas Lenuelito Betita. Photo by Rics Rojas, text by Richard Meriveles
GDG Community leader Rics Rojas (leftmost) with DNX webmaster Richard Meriveles and Mozilla Firefox coordinator for Western Visayas Lenuelito Betita. Photo by Rics Rojas, text by Richard Meriveles

For instance, Julius Uy, engineering manager of Rakutin Viki, talked about the potential of A. I. in simplifying and improving quality of life through technology like Euphonia, a voice recognition app that could help people with speech impediments.

Thanks to Google Technology, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning has made life easier from something as simple as taxi reservations, or voice recognition app for people with speech impediments, says Engineering Manager Julius Uy of Rakutin Viki. Photo and text by Hannah A. Papasin. Taken during the google devfest 2019 at Ayala Malls Capitol, Bacolod City.
Thanks to Google Technology, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning has made life easier from something as simple as taxi reservations, or voice recognition app for people with speech impediments, says Engineering Manager Julius Uy of Rakutin Viki. Photo and text by Hannah A. Papasin

The afternoon event was divided into parallel sessions involving code labs, or hands on workshops.

Speakers, certified Google experts, were tapped not just for lectures but to lead code labs for those interested.

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Hannah A. Papasin
Hannah A. Papasinhttp://facebook.com/hannah.mariveles
Writer. Critic. Professor. She started writing since primary school and now has two published textbooks on communication. A film buff, she's a Communication, Media Literacy and Journalism Professor of the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod, and has a Master's Degree in English.
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