Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Vigan as New 7 Wonders Cities

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The 21 Official Finalists that have been voted through to the next round of the New 7 Wonders Cities campaign are: Bangkok, Barcelona, Beirut, Chicago, Doha, Durban, Havana, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, La Paz, London, Mendoza, Mexico City, Mumbai, Perth, Quito, Reykjavik, Saint Petersburg, Seoul, Shenzhen and Vigan.

I am encouraging everyone to vote for Vigan - that historic city in Ilocos Sur- more popularly known for
Calle Crisologo, the nerve center of the city's historic district.

No less than Vice President Jejomar Binay says that “Vigan reflects our country’s rich culture and history. As Filipinos proud of our own heritage, let us help make Vigan our very own world wonder.”

As the lone nominee from the Philippines, Vigan aims to duplicate the success of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, which was named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2012.

We can do it! Pause for a while doing selfies, groupies, chats, status updates, shares, likes, rants, hate posts and tweets, it's time to make our country proud by making Vigan one of the New 7 Wonders Cities.

Put Down the iPad and Spin the Globe

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Any dad knows the challenge of trying to come up with new bedtime stories for his children. After exhausting every variation of bunny, frog, knight and princess stories he could come up with, Edward Moldenhauer took notice of the globe on a dresser. He got the idea of asking his kids to help him with a story topic by spinning the globe.

Edward’s children would use their finger to stop the globe, and wherever their finger landed, their dad had to tell them an impromptu story about that particular country or area. And that’s how the Frederick von Wigglebottom book series was born.

Spin the Globe: The Incredible Adventures of Frederick von Wigglebottom is book series where Frederick is transported to a new and exciting country to explore in each edition. The first story of the series and takes place in Australia, the second one takes readers to Norway.

“My goal is to instill in young children the desire to learn and experience the many wonders of our world,” says Moldenhauer. “Unfortunately, many children and adults will never be able realize or visit these locations in person, so this book can open their minds to new and exciting topics.”

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Last time I've met Chef Jessie was at her 100 Revolving Restaurant in Eastwood. My family and I had a wonderful time dining on the sumptuous buffet dishes at her restaurant while enjoying the spectacular 360 degree view of Metro Manila.

My family and I will often laugh at each other when we find ourselves located at another part of the restaurant and desperately trying to figure out where the buffet table was now located. I would get lost and would sometimes miss our table going back, but my kids were having the best time going back and forth enjoying mostly the dessert.

This time, I got to try Chef Jessie's Top of the Citi restaurant located on top of the Citibank Tower. Just like at 100, many of her dishes at this Makati restaurant also boasts of the same superior quality dishes but this time the presentation were works of art beginning with the Appetizers, the Salads, the Soups, the Main Entree, all the way up to the Dessert.

I ordered one for each category so I could really sample how it is like at the Top of the Citi. Many have been missing on these wonderful feasts since some people think that the restaurant above the Citibank Tower is exclusive for the building tenants, and some even thought it's exclusive for Citibank employees. Oh, boy! They were all wrong. It is such a shame they haven't discovered this awesome restaurant right at the top of Makati. get on your feet guys and instead of going to fast-food restaurants killing yourself with oily fried foods filled with cholesterol, spend a little more on healthy foods that's reasonably priced.

Fluid: A Reinterpretation of Palanca Award-Winning Play All Set to Open on July 24

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Technical Theater Program Batch 111 proudly presents a reinterpretation of the Palanca Award-winning play, “ FLUID ”.

Written and directed by Floy Quintos, the comedy is about young Filipino contemporary artists struggling to make a name for themselves as they negotiate the tricky terrain between Love, Art and Compromise.

“ FLUID ” is set to open on July 24 and shall continue to run on July 25 and 26 (1:00 pm and 7:00 pm) at the 5/F SDA Theater, School of Design and Arts Campus, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 950 P. Ocampo St., Malate, Manila. A press preview is set on July 23 at 7 p.m.

“ FLUID ” is written as a series of scenes in different locations featuring three pairs of characters who seemingly have nothing to do with each other. Amir is a struggling and frustrated young painter whose life is about to be changed by Mira a wealthy art collector who dreams of discovering new talent. Jom and Alben are passionate theater actors torn between their passion for their craft and the lure of fame. Renata is a seemingly batty orchestra coordinator out to defend the dignity of her orchestra when it is hired to play at a society wedding by the overbearing events coordinator, Simone. All these unique and clashing characters come together unexpectedly at an art exhibit where their impulses lead to joyful mayhem.

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Last June 27, a group of volunteers brought smiles to the faces of children afflicted with cancer through the “Portraits of Love” charity event. Organized by renowned photographer Pilar Tuason and in cooperation with the Kythe Foundation, the event gave the children a magical day full of laughter and love.

“This year, I wanted to do something with Kythe. I asked them if they had something set up and they said they didn’t have anything. If I wanted to come up with something then I’d have to do it on my own. They said that if I want, I could just take pictures in the ward. But it’s not the same. In the ward they’re getting their treatment. They’re sad, they’re lethargic. So I said I’ll do it. I have a lot of good friends, volunteers. We can’t call this as my project – I think it’s everyone’s project,” said Tuason.

When asked why she initiated this activity, Tuason replied, “They’re having a great time; for them, it’s a huge party. Everyone is a celebrant here. And for the parents, it’s a good break from being in the room, waiting for treatment every Friday. This is something different for them.” The kids enjoyed several attractions, including a magic and puppet show, a dancing Jollibee, and a football tutorial by Team Socceroo Football Club from the United Football League (UFL). Pilar Tuason took portraits of the children and with their parents, which were printed with Epson’s L800 genuine ink tank system photo printer.

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I was destined to drive the MINI. That's for sure! Of all the luck in the world, I had to be given the opportunity to be among the first ones to test drive the Mini for more than 24 hours around the streets of Metro Manila. I took it home with me on the night of the first day, and drove it again the following day on a road trip with my wife and kids.

My wife and I were comfortable upfront, but my three kids felt crowded at the back. It seems the MINI is not meant for a family of five. My kids are almost as big as us so that's where the problem lies. They just grew up to fast for us to realize they are of adult size already.

If they were still on their elementary years, they would have fit very nicely, but the particular MINI that I got was just too small for them. But we did manage to go around the Metro with very little complaint form them - that is after a few hours of driving.

From its location in the Bonifacio Global City showroom, I took it with me in Makati to meet up a blogger friend for a restaurant review. I was a given a chance to review Top of the Citi, one of the three famous restaurants of renowned Chef Jessie. I think it took me three hours before we were done so I paid for three hours of parking near the Citibank Towers.

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“Dancing in the Light” is a multi-media concert that interprets profound truths through the arts. The words of wisdom of spiritual leader and life coach Dadi Janki come alive through theatre, dance, music, video and sculpture. This one-woman show is performed by Marge Enriquez, directed by Bart Guingona and choreographed by Douglas Nierras. The videos were shot on location at Avellana Art Gallery by Galileo Te of Indioboy productions.

“Dancing in the Light” will be shown on July 24 at 7:30 pm at Onstage, Greenbelt 1. The free concert is made possible through Calata Corporation, Piandré, Belo Medical Group, Century Properties, Fila, Neurobion, Penshoppe, Prestige Brands, Manila Broadcasting Company, Natimars Foundation, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., Vonotec and Watsons.

For details, contact 0917-980-3541.

Bambike Ecotours of Intramuros: The Coolest Way to Tour Intramuros

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"Bambike Ecotours Intramuros is an exciting and educational ecotourism activity in the heart of Manila’s old walled city of Intramuros. Guests will be riding through the streets on bamboo bikes that have been handmade by Gawad Kalinga villagers here in the Philippines. Tourists will be led around the area, getting to cover more ground than if on a walking tour and having a more interesting experience than if going around on a calesa.This ecotour will both teach visitors about Philippine history and make them feel like kids again."

I agree to their Facebook page description. The tour will make you feel like a kid again. That's for sure. I saw these in the faces of my fellow bloggers before they proceeded with the actual tour. Yes! I mean "they" for I had to miss the opportunity to ride with them and Bryan, the proprietor and brains behind "Bambike" because I had to pick up a Mini Cooper S at the Bonifacio Global City Mini showroom. The guys at Mini scheduled the pick-up the same time I was supposed to be riding with the Wazzup Pilipinas community.

It was between riding a Bambike and a Mini...I would have chosen the Bambike but Bryan made it easier for me - he gave me another opportunity to join them in any schedule tour. Thus after taking a group photo with them, I ran off to the Mini showroom all eager and excited to drive like there was no tomorrow (joke). Seriously, I was very careful in driving the Mini since it was not mine to begin with.

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I am a frustrated artist. I loved to draw during my younger years. I even had my own line of characters similar to the popular groups back when I was still studying. Name all the cartoons and I had my own version patterned after them. My own superhero team, my own transforming robots, my own creations with their distinct personalities, costumes and personal backgrounds.

I could have been a Fine Arts student, but my parents said there was no future in the arts. They were implying, but obviously stating, that there's no financial assurance in drawing, sketching, painting, or whatever form it may be.

I ended up taking an Engineering course from one of the reputable colleges in Manila. But even until now after graduation and several employments with top-notch multi-national corporations and organizations, I somehow still feel incomplete and empty. I keep longing for opportunities to apply my artistry and creativity. Some could probably see it in my past works - I was always appointed as the presentation master since I was great at Powerpoint,, the one who draws for the assignments or homeworks of my cousins, and the one who prepares announcement posters for the company. They chose me because they can see that I know how to match colors that will look good. I have an eye for beauty as I lay-out posters and ads, - in other words - the desire to be creative always shines out in almost everything that I do.

Attending the Icon Manila 2014 event made me realize that these guest artists share a common story with me. Not all of them intended to be an artist. Most of them ended up at their work because the passion was there. It seems noone really can be stopped if there is passion inside still burning and yearning to get out. No amount of opportunity will be reason enough if there was no passion. For them, when the opportunity came, they grabbed it. Some may have worked for it all of their life, but it would have not lasts if there was no passion.

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Basketball fanatics had another awesome NBA experience with the return of the NBA 3X here in the Philippines. Presented by Sprite, boys and girls of all skill levels - with an open division for men and women - were able to participate and vie for top honors and bragging rights at the SM Mall of Asia and Philippine International Convention Center from July 4 to 6, 2014.

At a press conference held at the NBA Cafe of SM Aura located in Bonifacio Global City, members of the media had the opportunity to interview popular personalities like Toronto Raptors' DeMar DeRozan, Los Angeles Lakers' Wesley Johnson, the Raptors Dance Pak, and Sacramento Kings' Slamson the Lion.

Coco-Cola executive Adel Tamano was there to represent Sprite, and joined the organizers from NBA Philippines in a photo ops, along with the celebrity guests.

Aside from the competitive 3x3 tournaments, the NBA 3X Philippines 2014 celebrates basketball and the NBA with many free fan activities like a slam dunk contest, basketball clinics, 3-point shoot-outs, skill challenges, autograph sessions, live bands and DJs, NBA merchandize giveaways, and appearances of local celebrities at a celebrity division 3x3 tournament.

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The International Film Expo 2014 with a theme of "Your Film Corridor to Asia" was held at the SMX Convention Center of the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City last June 27 to 29, 2014. The event is one of the premier film expositions that brought together the world’s most prominent players in the film industry and showcased the best and the latest trends surrounding the global film market.

The expo features several exhibitors from all over the world and a series of symposia covering a wide array of topics about the state, challenges, and opportunities surrounding the film industry worldwide. The conference brought together international stakeholders in film that discussed critical issues affecting the film industry worldwide, present technological advances and promote education as a tool towards a future-ready film industry.

Primarily brought to us by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the expo aims to make the Philippines a central hub for international film providers eying the Asian market through co-productions, partnerships, and other mutually beneficial arrangements. The expo featured reputable local and international production companies, film schools, film equipment suppliers, and other organizations like RSVP Film Studios, Black Magic Design, Array’s Technology, Inc., CMB Film Services, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation from South Korea, just to name few. The FDCP hopes to continue developing more opportunities for partnership and growth for local and international filmmakers.

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Tanghalang Ateneo’s repertoire of plays is daunting: world classics, Filipino originals, and documentary texts turned into theater pieces. Its productions are noted for thought, generosity, and energy, while its lingua franca on stage is both Filipino and English.

The longest-running theater company of the Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila University uses theater to foster eloquentia, sapientia, and humanitas – the pillars of Jesuit pedagogy. It sees itself as a theater company in the service of student formation, and by extension – given the Jesuit ideal of magis – a theater in service of the nation.

Since its founding in 1972 (and formally recognized five years later), Tanghalang Ateneo has grown from a fledgling band of student players to one of the country’s leading school-based theater companies.

Tanghalang Ateneo proudly announces its 36th season line-up for the school year 2014-2015 consisting of three productions with the theme “Navigating Identities” revolving around man's need to define himself and his significance in the world.

Nominate Wazzup Pilipinas to the Globe Tatt Awards as Best Lifestyle Blog

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Please nominate our blog to the Globe Tatt Awards 2014 as the Best Lifestyle Blog/Microblog. Please vote for Wazzup Pilipinas and let us all share the recognition - because we are a community, and our community is one! We are Wazzup Pilipinas!

Nominations are open until July 10, and voting starts on July 15. Why nominate for Wazzup Pilipinas? Aside from its already existing awards as Top Emerging Blog of 2013, Most Outstanding Filipino Community Blog Site of 2013, Best Filipino Community Blog Site of 2014, and Top Filipino Community Blog Site of 2014, the blog is a merging of uber creative and passionate correspondents of mixed age, specialties and background - as young as high school students to as experienced as professional bloggers, writers and employees that are all sharing their stories to the world in support of the It's More Fun in the Philippines program of the Department of Tourism.

Its founder, Ross Flores Del Rosario, was also awarded as Best Choice Influential Social Media Evangelist of which formal awarding ceremonies will be held on July 25, 2014 at the Crowne Plaza located in Ortigas, Pasig city.

Please click on the link below to take you to the voting site:

http://www.tattawards2014.com?kid=3G03P

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The Department of Transportation and Communications’ (DOTC) push to modernize urban mobility by introducing the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to the country has garnered praises from foreign and local advocates of democratized, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly transport systems.

“The goal is not simply to modernize transport facilities and improve commuter experience, it is also to provide the public with a better quality of life. Due to the fast, efficient, and convenient features of BRTs, they save passengers the time normally wasted in traffic jams. BRTs allow people to be more productive and to have better access to opportunities,” remarked DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya.

The Cebu BRT project of the DOTC, recently approved by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), was first conceptualized as early as the 1990s. This P 10.6-Billion project is financed by the World Bank through its Clean Technology Fund.

Nigel Paul Villarete, who was City Administrator and later City Planning Officer of Cebu, was in charge of project development. Villarete says that: “The fulfillment of the Cebu BRT will change the face of Metro Cebu forever, and will auger well for the metropolis to become a people-oriented, humane, sustainable, and livable city in the future, where the rich share the same ride with the poor. The BRT is not just a transportation project, it’s an urban improvement project.”

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The Department of Tourism (DOT) sees strong interest from international cruise lines increasing their ports of call and expanding visits to more islands in the country.

Speaking before guests and industry stakeholders during the Philippine Cruise Industry Workshop held last week at the Makati Shangri-la, Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said that cruise arrivals in the Philippines grew by 48 percent in the last two years since 2011 amounting close to 20,000 in 2013. And while the country’s cruise infrastructure is being developed, international cruise lines calling in the country have increased substantially, with 16 cruise vessels last year from just 10 in 2011.

“We are expecting some 18 cruise ships this year that should bring in more than 20,000 tourists. Our country’s proximity to major cruise source markets like China, Japan, and Hong Kong positions us at a competitive and comparative advantage in the Asia-Pacific region. This should give industry stakeholders greater prospects and our local communities new jobs and opportunities,” the tourism chief added.

Secretary Jimenez believes that what is now considered a niche market will see an increase in demand in the years ahead. “Preparation is absolutely essential. And that is what this workshop precisely calls for—to formulate a national cruise development plan that will chart the Philippines’ role in the cruising business in Southeast Asia,” he further explained.