First Supercomputer in ASEAN countries; Philippines to Use Blue Gene for Weather Forecasting & Studies

Blue Gene IBM Super Computer is one of the Fastest Computer in the World. is an IBM project that can reach operating speeds in the PFLOPS (petaFLOPS) range, with low power consumption. The project created three generations of supercomputers, Blue Gene/L, Blue Gene/P, and Blue Gene/Q. Blue Gene systems have led for several years rankings of the most powerful and most power efficient supercomputers. Photo from Wikipedia

The Philippines to Use Blue Gene Supercomputer for Weather Forecasting

By the end of 2013, the Philippines will be the first country in Southeast Asia to acquire an IBM Blue Gene Supercomputer to improve its weather forecasting system and genomics research.

"The Blue Gene supercomputer opens many doors for the country and reduces our uncertainty (in R&D). Our vision for a Smarter Philippines needs breakthrough instruments such as this, to propel us toward advancement," said Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo.

Considered as one of the fastest and most powerful computers in the world, the Secretary said it will enable local scientists to perform highly technical and scientific calculations in the areas of weather and climate modeling, and genomics.

The project was formally announced last month, with the Secretary highlighting its capability to further improve the government's Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards project.

"Aside from greatly enhancing our climate change scenarios or modeling, we can make more accurate area-specific weather forecasts and extend our prediction from three days to up to seven days," he said.

In the area of genomics, the IBM Blue Gene will facilitate the analysis and management of data, and provide computational requirements for the recently established Philippine Genome Centre. The latter seeks to explore areas for genomic applications – from varietal improvement of crops, livestock, and other raw materials, to drug discovery and development of advanced, personalized medicines and diagnostic tests, among others.

Meanwhile, DOST R&D Undersecretary Dr. Amelia Guevarra, said other government agencies are also free to use the Blue Gene for their R&D efforts and activities.

Asia Pacific FutureGov

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Philippine close deal for ISRAEL MISSILE SYSTEM after USA dishonored MDT for China's invasion in Scarborough

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will arrive Israel this week to close the deal with surface-to-air missiles or multiple launch rocket systems were being offered by Israel's  Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. "SAMs and MLRS are mobile anti-aircraft weapons designed against jet fighters," Delivery would take around 3 - 6 months and expected to be already in the Philippines on or before December 2013 

While the Philippines keeps hoping for USA to come for a rescue and honor the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) during the china's invasion in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, USA opted not to side with the Philippines but take its neutral stance proving that the USA-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty is futile. The very important decision of USA proves that they could not honor what they have signed for the Philippines.

In its territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), the Philippines has tended to look to the United States for help, a mindset that, according to an Ateneo professor, should be "emancipated" from if it is to assert its independence.

As published by the Inquirer (June 11) Expert says Philippines can't rely on US vs China it has been proven by the action by the Washington not siding to the Philippines during the china's invasion in the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

The Philippines as an independent country must have to learn itself how to defend from bully and how to guard its sovereignty. The US-Philippine Defense Alliance is just for business and defense supply not fighting with the Philippines when it comes to war as USA clearly said as "Philippines is a Strategic Alliance of the USA which mean everything would end up into Strategy not action or actual protection.

USA indeed helps the Philippines by providing training and support against the international Abu sayaff terrorists linked to Al qaeda but USA is not allowed to fight with the Philippines as it is against the Philippine constitution.

While previous administrations are not interested in upgrading the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Pnoy is a big brother twists the past into a new face of the AFP by providing a slice of budget for the upgrade of the Philippine armament.

And here it comes a new interest of "SAMs and MLRS are mobile anti-aircraft weapons designed against jet fighters," from Israel is scheduled to close deal within this week and expected to arrive the Philippines by September to December 2013.

Philippine Closing Deal with Israel' Missile System

Amid rising tensions over territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine government is eyeing to close deal for the purchase of anti-aircraft guided missiles from Israel.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the surface-to-air missiles or multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) were being offered by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and Israel Military Industries Ltd., both based in Israel.

"SAMs and MLRS are mobile anti-aircraft weapons designed against jet fighters," the source said, adding that these had been suggested some time ago but had not been taken seriously because the defense establishment had no interest in investing at the time.

"Now, here comes the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, and at last they've opened their eyes," the source added.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will arrive Israel this week (3^rd Week of June 2013) to close the deal with the prospective suppliers.

"If you have an agreement this would hasten the procurement process, say in three to six months you would already have the weapons. The agreement gives you the leeway to access all the information you want know about a particular weapon you want to procure," the source said.

Manila Standard tried to reach Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo and spokesman Peter Paul Galvez for confirmation, but both did not return calls or answer text messages.

In his first year in office, President Benigno Aquino III had released ₱75 billion to fund the upgrading of the military's capability through the procurement of ships and aircraft.

Gazmin then said they had some 138 big-ticket defense items that were being considered on a government-to-government procurement basis.

Part of this buildup was the recent procurement of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, a rehabilitated US Coast Guard cutter introduced in the 1960s.

The refurbished cutter, procured for will be the country's most modern warship and is expected to arrive in July or August.

But Senator Gregorio Honasan seemed unimpressed with the extent of help offered by the United States, and called for a review of the US Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Defense Treaty, which he described as useless.

"We are not getting anything out of it. We have many international economic, military and security arrangements with other nations but why did they not say anything while the Scarborough Shoal standoff was heating up?" said the former Army colonel.

Because of this, Honasan said the country should abrogate all treaties that do nothing to help the country.

At the same time, however, he said a joint fishing agreement with Taiwan would be beneficial because it would afford protection to fishermen from both countries.

His remarks follow the May 9 fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine Coast Guard personnel in the Balintang Channel that soured relations between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Also on Friday, the Foreign Affairs Department said it welcomed the filing of a resolution in the US Senate in support of a peaceful resolution to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

"We understand that the resolution has yet to undergo the necessary congressional process before it is passed by the US Senate, nonetheless, we extend our appreciation on the mere fact that some US senators have deigned it necessary to express their views on a fundamental issue that affects the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region," the department said in a statement.

"The Philippines especially appreciates the reaffirmation of the peaceful resolution of disputes, including through arbitration; its condemnation of the use of threat or use of force; its recognition of the significance of the role of ASEAN and of the code of conduct; and its support for the ongoing and deepening efforts of the US in the region relating to ensuring freedom of navigation, maintenance of peace and stability, and respect for universally recognized principles of international law."

With Report from Manila Standard Today and Israel defense

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