Good morning. Father's Day is just around the corner, and it's time to answer the age-old question: what do you get for the man who already has everything? Sure, you could go for the classic "World's Best Dad" mug, but why not think outside the (tool)box this year? Build a LEGO set, get some clothes he’d wear 30 years ago (they’re actually in style now), or just have a wholesome dinner where you share with one another a highlight of your 2024 so far and something you guys look forward to for the rest of the year. Happy gift hunting, and may your Father's Day be filled with laughter, love, and just the right amount of dad jokes!

Local News

💸 PLDT’s Billion Dollar Data Deal

By Tobias Bautista

PLDT is dialing up a major deal to sell a stake in its data center business to a mystery foreign company. At the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting in Taguig, PLDT Chairman Manny Pangilinan revealed that talks are wrapping up with the final bidder, valuing the data center biz at over $1 billion.

The kicker? PLDT will retain 51% ownership, ensuring they stay the big boss of their hyperscale and domestic data centers. Pangilinan kept the foreign buyer's name under wraps but mentioned they have some experience in the data center game. The funds from selling the 49% stake are earmarked for paying down debt.

By July, Pangilinan expects a binding term sheet to be signed, sealing the deal.

In a plot twist, PLDT has decided against listing its data center business as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) due to its complexity and potential delays.

Vitro Inc., PLDT’s data center arm, reports growing demand for data centers and hyperscalers, expecting a need for 50KW by 2027. With several data centers already buzzing in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, the biggest facility yet is set to launch in Sta. Rosa, Laguna later this year. Stay tuned!

Tech

👧 Fake it ‘til You Make it: Why Bots Love Playing Dress-Up as Women

By Tobias Bautista

If you thought talking to a person catfishing is bad, then what more if you find out you’re talking to a bot.

When disinformation researcher Wen-Ping Liu looked into China’s election meddling in Taiwan via fake social media accounts, one thing stood out: the most successful profiles were female.

“Pretending to be a female is the easiest way to get credibility,” said Liu, from Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice. Turns out, whether it’s propaganda, scams, or AI bots, presenting as female gets more engagement.

This isn't new—people have always given human traits to inanimate objects (think ships). Now, those traits boost fake profiles and chatbots. According to Sylvie Borau, an online researcher, female personas are seen as warmer and more approachable, making them more effective at grabbing attention.

Even AI chatbots with female voices are perceived as more human. Scarlett Johansson was approached to voice ChatGPT but declined. She threatened to sue when an eerily similar voice was used, and OpenAI put the new voice on hold.

Fake female profiles get over three times the views of male ones, especially if they appear young. This tactic has been used by nations like China and Russia to spread disinformation. Research even shows that chatbots with female personas face more harassment.

A U.N. report suggests these bots are often created by men, embedding gender biases into tech. Borau sums it up: “Humanizing AI might dehumanize women.”

Sports

🏆 Independence Day dubs! SMB evens up the PBA Ph Cup Finals in Game 4 despite Meralco’s surge

By Koby del Rosario

Even with facing a fiery Meralco Bolts offense, the San Miguel Beermen withstood any attack the Bolts gave them and still came away with the 111-101 Game 4 win to knot the Finals series up at two games apiece.

The “Kraken”, Junemar Fajardo, had his 13th-straight double-double as he led his team to the triumph with 28 points and 13 rebounds while slasher Cjay Perez banked on this momentum with 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

Fajardo, a seven-time PBA MVP, was also awarded with his historic 10th Best Player of the Conference award earlier in the evening.

It was an unfortunate loss for Meralco, as All-Star Chris Newsome had a career outing as he finished with 40 markers to go along with six boards as it was not enough for them to beat their rival team. 

Now that the series is tied, the pivotal Game 5 of the 48th PBA Philippine Cup Finals is scheduled for this Friday, June 14th, at 7:30 pm in the same venue.

✊ UP Repeat! The Fighting Maroons crawl their way back against DLSU to win the 17th Filoil EcoOil Cup

By Koby del Rosario

In a rematch of last year’s Finals (both for UAAP Season 86 and last year’s Preseason Cup), the UP Fighting Maroons went head-to-head once again with the DLSU Green Archers where the former prevailed in the 17th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup Finals, 69-66.

UP was down by as much as 20 points in the second quarter, but it was JD Cagulangan’s 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists coupled with Gerry Abadiano’s 12 markers that brought the Diliman-based squad back in the ball game.

In the losing effort, season MVP Kevin Quiambao still showed his superstar prowess for La Salle with a double-double performance of 14 points and 10 boards as the Green Archers settled for another silver medal finish in the preseason tournament.

No matter what would have been the outcome of this game, however, this Finals game was a sign of things to come in UAAP Season 87. September of this year can’t come any sooner.

⛹️‍♂️ Rest in Peace to The Logo: NBA legend Jerry West passes away at the age of 86

By Koby del Rosario

In a shocker to many, NBA legend Jerry West, who is the man behind the league’s logo, has unfortunately passed away peacefully at the age of 86 with his loving wife, Karen, by his side.

West was best known for his days as Los Angeles Laker, both in his playing career and post-playing stints. He was one of the key individuals responsible for the franchise’s 10 titles, spanning across different decades.

The whole NBA community has since poured in their messages for the now late great All-Star, including NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the Los Angeles Clippers—where West last served as an executive board member and consultant.

Condolences to the Hall of Famer’s family, close friends and those he held close to his heart. Salute to the Logo for a long life that was definitely well-lived.

News Roundup

• Lebanon’s Hezbollah fired a rocket barrage onto Northern Israel amid ceasefire talks

• Thieves target Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging cables — yet another hurdle for the EV industry

• Elon Musk withdraws lawsuit against OpenAI

• People object as France plans to use AI surveillance to scan thousands of athletes, coaches, and spectators for the Paris Olympics — it’s a form of creeping surveillance they say.

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