Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Barangay Nutrition Scholars' 3rd National Conference

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Barangay Nutrition Scholars are volunteers with special functions more diverse than the ordinary health worker. They are the special ones trained to be more attentive to details and with the guts to go beyond the common tasks, and even surpassing the role by becoming more than just a volunteer. He or she would have the daunting tasks of negotiating with the heads of the LGU for continued or more support since their tasks would definitely need the cooperation of the local government unit especially the heads from the Barangay Chairperson to the Mayor of the city or municipality.

I was amused that these BNSs are also given training programs on how to dress up properly and to effectively communicate with heads and superiors. These are knowledge that are worth learning even for health works as the scope of advocating for nutrition should not be solely focused on specifically related training programs. The overall physical, intellectual, social and even mental attributes of an individual should be enhanced as well no matter what profession.

They've mentioned the role of a BNS may even become more popular for the society since they have close encounters with the people themselves. Thus some have leveled up towards higher positions in government. It is admirable that still many of them stayed as a BNS because they truly have loved their advocacy.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Many are reacting to this "yaya meal" hullabaloo... What's your opinion?

Re-post from Balesin Island Club:

"We at Balesin Island Club do not understand this entire hullabaloo about the “yaya meal.” Any talk of discrimination is inappropriate. In fact, if the guest or member chooses to have the Club serve the “yaya” tenderloin steak and lobster thermidor, we will gladly serve it to the yaya. “Yaya meal” is merely an accommodation and an option for the guest for their “yaya”. H...ence, we do not serve this meal if there is no instruction at all from the guest for a “yaya meal” to be served to a “yaya”.

Incidentally, the yayas are thrilled with their meals because these are deliciously prepared by our chefs, as well, for our operating staff at Balesin.

Mike M. Asperin
CEO & Island Director
Balesin Island Club"

A bunch are saying they should have hires a PR to answer such issues since the CEO named Mike M. Asperin was obviously oblivious to the real reason why many people are reacting violently to his statement.

The fact that this place has a so called discriminating "yaya meal" is already a sign that the management, or the people running the place, are OK with offensive terminologies that distinguished their VIPs from their maids or helpers....and in the case of the CEO, their "operating staff" who are also thrilled being served a "yaya meal."

But was the management just complying with the request of a majority of their members? Thus making most of their members the affluent spoiled brats?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On March 19, Andrew Stotz, CFA, an award-winning financial analyst with more than two decades of experience in Asia, held a live event at Ugnayang La Salle, De La Salle University – Dasmariñas based on his upcoming book, You Won’t Get Rich in the Stock Market… Until You Change the Way You Think about It.

Roughly 1,700 students were in attendance at this seminar, where Stotz taught them about the 12 investment principles from his new book and showed each of them how to secure their own financial future. He also made sure that, by the end of the seminar, each student had made his or her own personal financial plan. This way, each student would have a roadmap to follow to reach financial independence. “It’s very gratifying to see that many people writing out their first financial plan. I feel like I’m making a difference, helping these students,” said Andrew.

In order to engage the students in the seminar, he asked each student to stand and flip a coin over and over, until only those who had flipped heads or tails ten times in a row were left standing. This was his way of illustrating that repeated stock market success can just be based on chance, and you can’t predict who will flip heads ten times in a row, any more than you can practice coin flipping to increase your chances. One student at the event said, “Mr. Stotz not only has a way with stocks but also has a way on reaching out to people.”

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The latest edition of ‘Art In The Park’ featured a new, creative installation – a welcome change from the usual paintings and sculptures. Artist Derek Tumala created a ‘light installation’ that made use of projection mapping technology.

‘Polyflora’ -- a mural that plays on the synchronisation of geometry & light derived from the shapes of the plants – made viewers appreciate the distinctive appeal of using projection mapping to create art.

“I was thinking of how I can make an art installation that can be organically weaved into the park's aesthetics. Plants are the main component of the park where Art in the Park is initiated. The idea of creating Polyflora, a sculptural & mural piece, got me inspired on how plants organically form geometric patterns - often in repetition - and how it can form an abstract formation. By applying light through video mapping, it creates a mesmerizing presentation,” said ‘Polyflora’ creator Derek Tumala.

For his inspired installation, Tumala gives credit to the Epson projectors. “What's most important for my video mapping project is the quality of light that the projector provides. The Epson projector has excellent brightness that is great for video mapping projection. Details, contrast ratio, and colors are accurate and it transformed the illuminated surface into a mesmerizing piece. The transformative value that projection mapping creates can only be effective with a high quality projector like Epson,” added Tumala.

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The Philippine Speleological Society 15th Cave Congress is a yearly gathering whose main objective is to discuss issue and concern regarding the use of our caves and cave resources, and to formulate alternative solutions for the sustainable use of these resources. This gathering is participated by local government units, government line agencies, non-government organization, the academe, caving groups and enthusiast and other stake holders.

This year’s congress will focus on the environmental, social and economic effects of climate change in caves and karst areas. The event will be held on April 20 to 24, 2015 with theme; “Caving in a Changing Climate”. The objectives for this year’s congress are as follows:

a. To impart greater awareness on the effects of climate change on caves and karst landscape

b. To enhance the participants knowledge and greater understanding on the social, economic and environmental effects of climate change and its impact on the sustainable management of karst areas.

c. To develop a sustainable karst management program for the Silop cave system.

The 15th cave congress will feature numerous activities; from plenary discussion and paper presentations to technical trainings and tours. Registration fee is pegged at Php 1,500.00 for non PSS members and Php 1,200.00 PSS members. The registration fee is inclusive of: Congress Kit, event Jersey, dry bag, 3 hosted meals, transportation from school to training sites, Entrance fees & permits.

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The junior students of the Communication Arts Students’ Association from the University of Santo Tomas, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Communication Arts program, proudly present “Ang CACAI-bang Kwento Ni Cacai” written by Christine Bernasol together with co-writers Nikka Talabis, Carla Quizon, Pauline Ramo and Jose Miguel Valera and is directed by CJ Espino, Merryll Palenge, Marielle Valmores, Christine Bernasol and Virgene Credo.

The show is produced by the Junior Communication Arts students themselves, to be staged this Wednesday, 15th of April 2015 with shows at 9am, 1pm and 4pm at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium, Education Building, University of Santo Tomas.

Ang CACAI-bang Kwento Ni Cacai is a musical variety show that revolves around the life of a Communication Arts student, Cassandra Kaye “Cacai” Magsakay who struggles to prove the worth of her college degree. It aims to give a glimpse of the world of media studies and to dispel the stereotypes of being a Communication Arts major.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This summer, the UP Circle of Entrepreneurs (UPCE) brings the entire university student body a week-long celebration of the organization’s 24th anniversary showcasing its identity as an entrepreneurial organization through fun and exciting events.

EcCEntric: A Different Kind Of Summer is a week-long celebration starting from the 14th until the 17th of April. Join UPCE as they bring you A Taste of Summer: The Gallery Launch and Grand Pakain (April 14, 11:30AM-1:00PM, UP Virata School of Business), Mindsplash: An Entrepreneurial Fair (April 15, UP Palma Hall Lobby), 24 Seconds of Summer video contest winner announcement (April 16), and the foundation week’s culminating summer fair and party, Iskochella (April 17, 4pm, UP Diliman Sunken Garden).

Admission to all events is free. Bring your friends and experience a different kind of summer!

Monday, April 6, 2015

UP Debate Society Launches the 15th Philippine Inter-Collegiate Debating Championship

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The University of the Philippines Debate Society (UPDS) will welcome 320 debaters and judges for the largest national debate competition in the Asian Parliamentary format, the Philippine Inter-Collegiate Debating Championship (PIDC). On its 15th year, PIDC will run from April 17-22 at the University of the Philippines, Diliman campus and the Asian Development Bank. Eighty teams will compete for the coveted national title and at the end of the five-day tournament, Philippine's top ten debaters and top ten adjudicators will be awarded along with the tournament champions.

PIDC also celebrates diversity through the Sinag Cup. The Sinag Cup pools four non-Manila representatives from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It promotes regional camaraderie and celebrates diversity. To this day, the Sinag Cup remains to be a coveted prize.

The motions of PIDC cover a wide range of pressing topics, from perennial issues on minority rights, state paternalism, and religious exercise to recent issues on economic integration, technological development, and medical breakthroughs. The topics to be debated, called motions, are crafted by the prestigious adjudication core. This year's adjudication core is composed of: Allan Cabrera from Ateneo de Manila University, Garie Ouano from University of the Philippines Diliman, Kevin Ganchero from Far Eastern University, Karlo Antonio from San Beda College, and Paolo Franco from De La Salle University Manila.

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LoveByte, the mobile app that specializes in helping couples improve their relationship and stay connected, aims to make dating and communication fun, even beyond Valentine’s Day.

As a niche private app for two people, couples can chat in the app, share every detail of their life as photos, notes and dates. However, LoveByte offer special features that improve couple bonding and communication to be even more personal and unique.

Apart from sending each other cute stickers, couples on LoveByte can also send secret messages to each other. The recipient gets to rub the screen to unveil what is being sent, like a scratchcard. Inside it, the message can get as creative as the sender plans it to be; ranging from a spontaneous date invitation, or a simple I Love You.

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The University of the Philippines (UP), the country’s premier higher education institution, in partnership with Nokia-Manila Technology Center (Nokia-Manila TC) has recently inaugurated a new engineering laboratory in its Diliman campus in an effort to provide quality hands-on education and training to telecommunications engineering students.

Located within the university’s Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (EEEI), the UP-Nokia Telecommunications Engineering Laboratory features Nokia Networks’ state-of-the-art equipment, including a radio access network that can connect user devices to one of Nokia Networks core network in Asia. A full class can experience the equipment, providing them with real-life experience on telecommunications operations.

The new learning facility helps the state university stay true to as one of the few centers of excellence and development in the Philippines. "Wireless and cellular telecommunications are normally just taught from textbooks,” said EEEI Director Dr. Joel Marciano Jr. “But with the new laboratory our students will actually see the interaction between mobile phones and base stations. It’s experiential, hands-on learning that will be even more effective.”

The laboratory also marks a new chapter in UP and Nokia-Manila TC’s long-standing partnership when the two institutions first launched the Teach In the University Program with the same aim of raising the country’s telecommunications education.

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For Eugene Toquero, ONE: Valor of Champions will allow him the chance to shine in front of his native people.

Toquero and fellow 125-pound fighter Brianata Rosadhi are set for the 24 April card from the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

A native of the host country, Toquero will look to impose his will through Muay Thai, which is his strength.

After starting his career with five straight wins, all of which came via finish, the flyweight was topped by Geje Eustaquio in his ONE debut back in late 2013.

Eustaquio showed Toquero what he needed to work on, as his striking was muted by counter punches and being a step quicker. On the ground, Toquero was unsuccessful on a takedown attempt that led to the eventual winner landing plenty of solid strikes.

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The Philippines has seen an exponential growth in its small and medium enterprises (SMEs). According to the Department of Trade and Industry, the number of SMEs in the country has increased 66% from 492,510 in 1995 to 816,759 in 2011. They comprise 99.6% of all registered businesses in the country and provide jobs to 3.9 million people.

Along with the growth of SMEs is the increase of the country’s internet users. The latest statistics from Global Web Index shows that the Philippines outperformed the internet population growth of its Asian counterparts, growing 531% from 2009 to 2014. The nation currently has the 14th largest internet population, with 44 million of its citizens having an online presence.

SMEs need to keep up with the quick adaptation of Filipinos to the latest technologies. Now included in business maturity is the presence of a digital outlet. However, having an online presence isn’t enough: Filipinos take content seriously and consider it as an important step towards launching a strong social presence. The question, then, is how SMEs can grab the attention of the public while informing them of the offerings that they can get.

This is how PLDT SME Nation helps SMEs. With its goal of making SMEs more reachable to Filipinos, PLDT SME Nation has constantly partnered with its clients to make the communication between businesses and the Philippine market more engaging and informative. With this, PLDT SME Nation will open Tech Island 2.0.

2015 PBA Developmental League Foundation Cup Teams and Game Schedule for April

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Filipinos love basketball so much since it is a sport that can be played almost anywhere. You just need a ring where to shoot the ball, and a minimum of two players to make it competitive compared to playing by our lonesome.

You'll find a basketball court from the smallest barangay to the biggest city. There will always be a basketball court in every stadium or sports complex. It's the very first sports facility that is setup. It will forever be the number one sport in the country.

Let's play basketball!

Here are the 2015 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Participating Teams

1. AMA University Titans
2. Cafe France Bakers
3. Cagayan Rising Suns
4. Cebuana Lhuillier Gems
5. Hapee Fresh Fighters
6. Jumbo Plastic Linoleum
7. KeraMix Mixers
8. LiverMarin
9. MP Hotel Warriors
10. Tanduay Light Rhum Masters

Schedule of Games for April (Games will be alternately held at the following venues: Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, JCSGO Gym in Quezon City and San Juan Arena in San Juan)

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We are all saying that we love our planet, yet every candy wrapper we throw away carelessly on the streets or the rivers signifies how weak our commitments are.

We often forget about the little things that would also eventually bring forth repercussions if we continue to become unmindful of their consequences.

Earth Day Network Philippines Chairman, Dr. Metodio Palaypay, reminded us: "This is why we never get tired of telling people that Earth Day must be everyday, everywhere, for everyone.”

In the media briefing for Pro Earth Run 2015, Dr. Palaypay underscored the critical role of media in bringing out the message of earth care to the public when he addressed the members of the media last 31 March 2015 at the Merrell Concept Store, Market! Market! Bonifacio Global City.

In the end, he entreated the members of the press, “Into your hands, I commit Mother Earth.”

Meanwhile, DENR Director for Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service Jesus Enrico Moises Salazar commended Earth Day Network Philippines for the environmental work it has been doing over the years.

“While the result of your labor may not always be immediately felt, it will eventually yield something good for the country.”

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In celebration of the World Hemophilia Day on April 17, the Hemophilia Association of the Philippines for Love & Service (HAPLOS) will spearhead a national gathering of different Hemophilia groups and support organizations at the Glorietta Mall in Makati City on April 11 to 12.

Dubbed “Count Me In,” the two-day activity seeks to raise awareness and understanding about hemophilia and related bleeding disorders. The event expects to gather around 300 persons with these conditions, along with their families and friends.

Hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, inherited platelet disorders, and other factor deficiencies are lifelong bleeding disorders that prevent blood from clotting properly.

People with bleeding disorders do not have enough of a particular clotting factor, a protein in blood that controls bleeding. The severity of a person’s bleeding disorder usually depends on the amount of clotting factor that is missing or not functioning. People with hemophilia can experience uncontrolled bleeding that can result from a seemingly minor injury. Bleeding into joints and muscles causes severe pain and disability while bleeding into major organs, such as the brain, can cause death.