Top BPO Firms, Executives To Be Honored At The 10th International ICT Awards

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Philippines has emerged as one of the world’s fastest growing IT-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) destinations in the world. In order to showcase these achievements, the ICT Awards was launched in 2007 by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CANCHAM) in close cooperation with IBPAP.

In the picture above are (L-R) Cora Dela Cruz CanCham Executive Director, Julian Payne CanCham President, Jomari Mercado IBPAP President and Dion Asencio Vice President for Sales Globe Business.

The ICT Awards is one of the most renowned awarding ceremonies in the industry and its 2016 installment is geared to be the largest event yet.

In its upcoming 10th year, a new category which determines the winner via online voting has been introduced: Most Popular Team Leader of the Year in the ICT Industry.

“The new category allows us to celebrate the best of the best.” Julian Payne, President of CANCHAM shared, “We are very excited about the Team Leader category where we plan to implement a new voting system for the day itself. It will give us an opportunity to see what type of Team Leaders the companies will put forward.”

Wazzup Pilipinas Featured on Adobo Magazine

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Check out the Adobo Magazine feature of WazzupPilipinas.com.

http://www.adobomagazine.com/philippine-news/2016-beginning-another-great-year-wazzuppilipinascom

Below is the article posted on the Adobo Magazine website. Another article will be published on the January-February issue of the physical magazine.

According to their website, Adobo Magazine is the Philippine advertising industry’s definitive, go-to sources for information, reaching everyone from agency chiefs and professionals, to clients, suppliers, media and the academe.

Fresh off a record-breaking third Philippine Quill Top Award win in 2013, adobo magazine remains the industry bible for the Philippines and the region, consistently leveraging unparalleled access and professional reportage to bring readers the latest from here and around the world. 

Likewise, adobo’s digital platforms reach thousands of subscribers daily via website (www.adobomagazine.com), mobile and social media, as well as a thrice-weekly newsblast of the latest from inside the industry, as well as live reportage from AdFest, Cannes Spikes and other major international advertising festivals. 

Whether you’re looking for in-depth coverage of up-to-date trade news and emerging trends or extensive, exclusive profiles, interviews and showcases, everything you need is here.

To Be a Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"To be a blogger is an honor and a responsibility. Since I am the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas, I will use my blog to influence my followers and I would raise awareness to certain issues like "crab-mentality among the blogging community" that is timely and relevant to my country, which is the Philippines. I want to show the world, the online community rather, that I am confidently famous with a heart."

Merry Christmas to all my fellow bloggers out there! But it looks like not all bloggers are merry since there are still some who pokes fun of others probably because they are sore losers. Those who couldn't stand the truth that they are no longer the only "in" people in the blogging community. As what some PR friends would say "Inggit lang ang mga yun!"

I wish I could say 

"I pity the fools! They obviously have no appreciation of their own accomplishments that they try to look down on others. Sadly, they are bringing themselves further down where they truly belong - in a state of misery.

No wonder. Who would love these kind of people who have nothing but hatred in their hearts. Who would dare be associated with these faggots who are better off with the maggots.

Korean-Filipino Group To Maintain MRT-3 System For 3 Years

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Passengers of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) will soon experience significantly improved service levels, as the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has awarded the long-term maintenance contract to the Joint Venture of Busan Transportation Corporation, Edison Development & Construction, Tramat Mercantile, Inc., TMICorp Inc., and Castan Corporation.

Beginning January 5 next year, the winning concessionaire will fulfill the general maintenance requirements for three (3) years. The long contract period will allow the new service provider to procure the necessary spare parts needed to increase the number of operating trains, especially during peak hours.

The P3.81-billion contract also covers the general overhaul of the trains and the total replacement of the signaling system.

Previous attempts to bid out the long-term maintenance contract – once in September 2014 and again in January 2015 – resulted in failure due to the non-participation of bidders. Recognizing the urgent need to address the railway’s maintenance requirements and the core problems of obsolescence and complete wear-and-tear, the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) unanimously approved the transport agency’s decision to proceed with an alternative mode of procurement pursuant to the Republic Act No. 9184.

One Championship Revolutionizes MMA With New Weigh-In Program

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Asia’s largest sports media property, ONE Championship (ONE), has announced that the organization will lead the global MMA industry by banning weight-cutting by dehydration and instituting a new set of regulations and policies governing the weigh-in procedures and contracted weight limits. The new program, which is the first of its kind for combat sports, is focused on athlete safety by introducing "walking-weight" competition via multiple weigh-ins and tests before and during fight week, including 3 hours before an event begins.

Athletes will now compete at their "walking-weight", which will be determined by a robust system that will track his/her weight on a regular basis throughout the period that the athlete is contracted to ONE. Full details of the new weigh-in program can be found on www.ONEFC.com.

The revolutionary weigh-in program was established after thorough discussions and recommendations by ONE Championship's medical and competition team, consisting of Chief Doctor Dr. Warren Wang, Chief Medical Advisor Dr. James Okamoto, Vice President Mr. Rich Franklin, Vice President of Operations & Competition Mr. Matt Hume, Global Athlete Services & Competition Director Mr. Richard Auty and China Athlete Services & Competition Director Mr. Vaughn Anderson.

Singapore Airlines Brings Christmas to NAIA

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Singapore Airlines spreads the yuletide cheer to its passengers with a surprise performance rendered by SIA's ground personnel and staff while ice cream in popular Filipino flavors were served. Pasko sa SQ is the airline’s way of sharing the spirit of Christmas with its customers.

Singapore Airlines adorns the airport with a belen and colorful lanterns that were creatively designed by Singapore Airlines ground staff using only local and recycled materials. Passengers were also invited to vote for their favorite lantern.

Singapore Airlines staff in Filipiniana attires for the airline's Christmas surprise to its loyal passengers. This special treat has been a tradition of Singapore Airlines over the years to celebrate the spirit of this well-loved season in the Philippines.

LTO Holds Plate Replacement Fees

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Due to the notice of disallowance issued by the Commission on Audit (COA), the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will temporarily stop collecting fees for replacement of old license plates.

This means, vehicle owners who have not yet paid for the new license plates will not have to shell out P 450 upon their renewal of registration.

“We are currently in the process of resolving the issue with the COA regarding the Plate Standardization Program. We hope issues will be resolved and COA lifts the disallowance so we can provide the public with plates for improved road safety.” said Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jun Abaya.

The LTO assures that the new standardized plates will be issued to motorists who have settled the payment as soon as the issue with COA is resolved.

This Christmas, Customers Can Buy The Oppo Neo 7 At 0% Interest Through Home Credit Installment

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Oppo, a global electronics company that is present in over 20 countries, and Home Credit, a multinational consumer finance company, bring a timely offer to those who are looking for a memorable but affordable gift this Christmas. Starting this month until January 31, 2016, customers may purchase an OPPO Neo 7 on installment even without a credit card and at 0% interest rate through installments provided by Home Credit.

The Neo 7, which retails at P7,990, is the newest camera phone under Oppo’s Neo lineup. It carries forward the unique design feature that set the Neo 5 apart: a sleek and reflective rear surface that uses optical coating and fiberglass for increased strength and elasticity. This while adding a wide range of performance upgrades and an attractive streamlined arc edge.

Garrick Hung, operations manager at Oppo Philippines, said, “The Neo 7’s generously proportioned 5-inch screen, improved front camera, and 16GB ROM, along with its powerful battery, make it a heavy hitter in the sub-P10,000 price range.”

Home Credit makes shopping for the Oppo Neo 7 affordable and convenient for customers. All one needs to apply for a loan are at least two IDs – one of which should indicate a current address – and an initial cash payment. The loan is approved in less than 30 minutes, and the customer may leave the shop with the purchased good in less than an hour. The payment term is 6 months, with a monthly payment of as low as ₱866 (based on 35% initial cash payment).

Seven Metro Manila Neighborhoods To Watch In 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine economy’s continued rise is apparent in the real estate front, notably as evidenced by the condo projects, commercial centers, and office buildings that are being built one after the other in the Metro Manila area. While the business center of Makati and the always investment-worthy Bonifacio Global City will constantly remain hot commodities for both investors and end-users, there are a few areas within the metro that are looking just as promising in terms of offering real estate opportunities in the coming year. MyProperty.ph names the seven neighborhoods in Metro Manila that are sure to be on the list of those who are planning to move to a new home or considering buying a property as an investment in 2016.


Alabang, Muntinlupa

It’s hard to believe that Alabang was once just a farming district as it has one of the most thriving commercial centers in the metro, with the construction of Filinvest City and Alabang Commercial Center. An ideal place for young professionals, Alabang is close to the offices located at Madrigal Business Park and Filinvest City, while up-and-coming townships such as Alabang West and South Park District will establish the area as a legitimate real estate hotspot.

Accomplishments Of Presidential Candidates Related To Real Estate

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In anticipation of the 2016 national elections, real estate website Lamudi Philippines (www.lamudi.com.ph) enumerates the accomplishments of the five candidates for president—Mar Roxas III, Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Rodrigo Duterte, Jejomar Binay Jr., and Miriam Defensor Santiago—that have somehow affected the real estate industry.


Mar A. Roxas III

Former congressman and senator and 2010 vice-presidential candidate Mar A. Roxas may not have pushed pieces of legislation directly related to real estate, but he did author two that in way benefited the industry.

One is Republic Act 8748, which is an amendment to the Special Economic Zone Act. In this amendment, although establishments operating within these eco-zones are exempted from paying taxes, they are required to remit 5 percent of their gross income earned: 3 percent to the national government and 2 percent directly to the treasurer’s office of the city or municipality where the eco-zone is located.

In addition, this piece of legislation also called for providing for disturbance compensation for residents who were displaced or evicted to give way for the construction of these eco-zones.

Another important piece of legislation Roxas authored is Republic Act 8756, which calls for giving incentives to multinational companies who establish regional headquarters in the country. Among the incentives include issuance of multiple-entry visas to the foreign employees and immediate family members of said companies, a fixed withholding tax on compensation of 15 percent, and exemption on value-added tax, among others.